Andy Robinson here to fire up Tranmere

Jan 31 2011 by Nick Hilton, Liverpool Echo

ANDY ROBINSON wants to play a prominent part in lifting Tranmere up the League One table over the second half of the season.

The Birkenhead-born midfielder played a cameo role in Tranmere’s escape from relegation last spring, contributing three appearances and a victory-clinching goal in a vital win over Millwall, during a loan spell from Leeds United.

This time Robinson has 21 games to make a substantial impact with his hometown club after signing a contract that runs until the end of the season.

And the 31-year-old midfielder aims to make sure Rovers are not fighting the drop over the final weeks this time around.

Robinson said: “The fans saw me last season. I like to get on the ball and try to make things happen. Hopefully I can help to push us up the league.

“We’ve had a decent few results recently and hopefully we can kick on and I can play a part in it.”

Robinson signed up with Tranmere last Thursday after training with Les Parry’s squad for a week. He was a free agent after being released from his contract by Leeds at the end of December. He did not play any first-team football with the Yorkshire giants this season.

Robinson said: “My fitness levels are decent. It is games I need. I’ve been playing reserve games but nothing is the same as competitive football in the first team.”

Manager Les Parry had his players training over the weekend when Rovers were without a game. Sheffield Wednesday, the scheduled League One proponents for last Saturday, were involved in the fourth round of the FA Cup, defeating Hereford 4-1 at Hillsborough.

Parry says he has to decide whether Robinson is sharp enough, fitness wise, to be considered for a place in the starting line-up against Rochdale at Prenton Park tomorrow.

Robinson is anxious to get back into action after a frustrating year at Elland Road and is delighted he has “come home” to relaunch his career.

“I had a great time here at the back end of last season and I think the fans know how much the club means to me,” Robinson said. “I supported Tranmere as a boy and it’s good to be back. The lads in the dressing room are as bubbly as ever and they are looking after me.

“I’m here to play football and there is no better place to do that than your hometown club.”

Tranmere’s Tony Warner has sent a big thank you to his former employers at Liverpool for the gesture that helped to revive his stalled career with a move to Prenton Park this month.