Robert set for bench role

By Matthew Jones
August 27 2002

Laurent Robert is targeting a place on the bench when Newcastle take on Zeljeznicar in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

Laurent Robert is targeting a place on the bench when Newcastle take on Zeljeznicar in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

The French winger has missed United's opening three games of the season with a stress fracture in his back and was expected to be sidelined until September. But Robert claims he is now fit to return to action and should be among Newcastle's substitutes at St James' Park.

"My injury is fine now, I'm training and I feel okay," he said. "I have recovered well and never thought I would be out as long as the medical people first thought.

"I hope the manager will maybe put me on the bench on Wednesday night, and then it would be good if I could play for half an hour.

"That game is a big match for Newcastle, and it will also be big for me if I am allowed to play. We need to play in the Champions League and all of the team know how important the match is. We all want to play in Europe against the best players in the world."