Robinson is a wanted man

ATHLETIC manager Paul Dickov would like to sign Andy Robinson — but says the club faces stiff competition for the left winger.

The 31-year-old was released by Leeds United at the start of this month and Athletic have confirmed Robinson is currently training with the rest of the first-team squad, who took in a specially-arranged session at Manchester City’s Platt Lane complex yesterday.

Athletic are said to face competition for Robinson’s signature from Championship sides.

But at the very least, the former Swansea player’s presence among the squad could increase the pressure on fellow winger Filipe Morais to sign the permanent deal offered to his agent two weeks ago.

“We haven’t even spoken about it at the moment,” said Dickov, on the subject of signing Robinson.

“Robbo knows I like him as a player. He is a good player.

“His attitude is spot-on and when he was at Leeds last year, he was the best player in training and worked harder than anybody else.

“But there are a lot of clubs interested in him, let’s put it that way.”

Robinson, a former Elland Road team-mate of Dickov’s, is set to move on and train with other clubs before Christmas.

Whether he ends up at Athletic — as well as competition for his signature, wage demands could be a problem — could hang on what happens to the players due to arrive back at Boundary Park on January 3.

Rob Purdie (Hereford), Sean Gregan and Jon Worthington (both Fleetwood), Joe Jacobson (Accrington) and Deane Smalley (Chesterfield) are out on loan and all those deals come to an end on that date early in the New Year.

“It is up to the clubs they have been out on loan at to decide if they want to keep them,” Dickov said.

“By all accounts, with the ones who have been playing, the reports coming back have been very good, but we have a lot of games coming up first.

“So after that, we will sit down and look at what is the best way forward.”

Ritchie Jones missed Athletic’s last outing, the 1-1 draw at Rochdale, with a pulled hamstring but could be involved at Boundary Park if the game against Swindon goes ahead tomorrow. See other story.