It's been a frustrating couple of seasons for Lincoln midfielder Steve Robinson, with the 30-year-old enduring some horrendous injury problems over the last two years. Just over 12 months ago Robinson suffered a broken leg whilst playing for Swindon and a summer move to Lincoln didn't bring a change of luck after he broke his foot in two places during the Imps' pre-season tour of Ireland. Now back to full fitness, Robinson has spent the last couple of months gaining some much-needed match practice on loan at Conference North side Worksop, but he told givemfootball's Mark Shail that he fears his Lincoln career could be over.
Q:IS IT FAIR TO SAY IT'S BEEN A DIFFFICULT SEASON FOR YOU SO FAR?
A:You could say that. I suffered a double fracture playing in a pre-season game against Sligo and then worked really hard to try to get myself back to full fitness. Just a week after returning to training the manager (Keith Alexander) asked me if I could play against Stockport and of course I said yes, although deep down I knew I wasn't as fit as I could be. I lasted an hour in that game, and thought I did okay, but since that match I haven't been involved with the first team at all.
Q:DO YOU KNOW THE REASON WHY YOU HAVEN'T BEEN INVOLVED?
A:No not really, maybe the gaffer just doesn't think my style of play suits the team. I like to try to get the ball down and pass it and I suppose Lincoln are one of the more direct sides in their division.
Q:HAVE YOU BEEN PLAYING MANY RESERVE TEAM GAMES?
A:I've played a few but quite often they are full of youth team players and trialists and not really the same as competitive football. So I had a word with the gaffer and asked him if I could go out on loan and he agreed it would be good for me.
Q:HOW DID THE LOAN MOVE TO WORKSOP COME AROUND?
A:My brother actually plays for them and they contacted me and I felt it would be good for me to get some competitive games under my belt. Don't get me wrong, the standard of football in that league isn't the greatest but it's very physical and I thought I would be better playing at that level rather than playing in the odd reserve match for Lincoln.
Q:SO DO YOU THINK YOU WILL BE GOING BACK TO LINCOLN BEFORE THE END OF THE SEASON?
A:I really don't know, but whatever happens they've made it pretty clear that I'm not part of their plans – but that's football. My contract's up at the end of the season anyway so we'll just have to wait and see. It's ironic because I'm originally from Nottingham and I could have moved to Notts County towards the end of last season while I was at Swindon but that fell through because they couldn't raise the funds at that time.
Q:WOULD YOU LIKE TO STAY IN THE FOOTBALL LEAGUE?
A:That's the plan but I'm a realist and when you've been out of the game for such a long time it's hard to get a new club. But I'm still only 30 and I know I can still play at that level. Maybe I can't run up and down like I did when I was 24 but I've still got a lot to offer.
