Friday 21 November 2014 18:27, UK
Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson has been told his Blackburn career is not over yet by manager Gary Bowyer, even though the stopper said he intends to seek a move in January.
The 35-year-old has not featured for the east Lancashire club since September having lost his place to on-loan Middlesbrough keeper Jason Steele, while Robinson has not even been on the bench in two months.
In an interview with talkSPORT earlier this week, Robinson, whose contract runs out at the end of the season, claimed he was "surplus to requirements" and would "look around" once the January transfer window reopens.
However, Bowyer has made it clear that the door is not totally closed for Robinson, who has spent six years at Ewood Park and may have some part to play against Middlesbrough later this month when Steele is ineligible.
"For any player contracted to the club, and Robbo's contract is until the end of the season, then it's not over," Bowyer told a press conference on Thursday.
"Those conversations haven't taken place and no one has said that to him.
"It's competition, healthy competition, everybody has to take that competition on and Robbo's no different to that.
"I can understand his disappointment and frustration but everybody just has to get on with it. That's what the message has been to everyone.
"We've got a group here who are all desperate to play but unfortunately you can only pick 11 to start."
Bowyer acknowledged that there is a possibility that Robinson could be seeking pastures new come the new year, yet he stated his situation was no different to any other player's in that respect.
"Who can predict what's going to happen over the next 29 games," the Rovers boss added.
"Obviously the January window comes and if something was to happen that suited everybody then we'd have to look at that but it's the same with any player.
"Until then they're all contracted to Blackburn and they're all expected to train hard, which they all are, including Robbo."
