Robbo tribute to comeback Clem

Neil Clement is tipped to complete a remarkable comeback with a place in Albion’s Wembley line-up tomorrow.

And regardless of how the FA Cup semi-final against Portsmouth pans out, his closest pal at The Hawthorns believes that already makes Clement a winner.

Nothing has delighted Paul Robinson more than seeing the 29-year-old Clement come through a season-long struggle to overcome career-threatening knee trouble and arrive like the cavalry to help out the Baggies back line.

Robinson has watched his pal battle his way through a demanding test of body and character to fight off lure of retirement and make a dramatic late entrance into Albion’s season.

After four on-loan outings which helped continue Hull City’s surge past the Baggies in the promotion race, Clement was brought back and has instantly looked his old authoritative self in half a game against Colchester and 90 minutes at Cardiff.

His re-emergence has thrown a curve ball into the team planning Mowbray began formulating for this semi three weeks ago but many expect Clement to get the nod – and the man to his left will be thrilled if he does.

“I’m delighted to see Clem back playing again,” says Robinson.

“He’s a good friend, our families mix together and it’s great to see him back in the side and playing so well. He is like a new signing for us. He’s got his games in at Hull and come back fresh.

“When you’ve been out for nearly two years things go through your mind, of course they do.

“But he’s got his head down and worked hard and the lads have welcomed him back. They know what he has put in to get there and they have urged him on.

“I’ve never been in the position Clem has been in but seeing him go through the pain barrier, wondering what is going to happen.

“What else can you do if you don’t have football? It’s a lot of pressure to have and a big decision to make.

“We’ve spoken about things, obviously, but they were in confidence and I intend to keep those confidences. All I wanted to do was keep encouraging him.

“We’ve tried to get him through when he has been feeling down but he’s got a great mentality and a great strength.

“He’s decided to play on and, thank God, I don’t see any pain now. I see a quality player who has got his fitness back, got his games in and like I say has become a new signing for us.

“It’s a fantastic decision that he’s made and I’m obviously delighted.”

His best mate’s revival does not mean that Clement is the only team mate on Robinson’s mind at the moment.

The full back revealed that the players are hoping to dedicate what would be a historic victory to the absent Filipe Teixeira, the midfield craftsman whose playmaking abilities could have thrived at Wembley.

He is laid up until next season because of injury, of course, but Robinson added: “If we can win, we will be dedicating it to Filipe. He has been a massive loss to us and the lads want to do it for him.

“He’s a big player for us and we’ve missed for quite a few games now.

“He’s one of the players who has made a big contribution to the season but now he’s stuck on a sun lounger somewhere in Portugal!

“But he’ll be on the phone tomorrow and I think I know where he would rather be.”

Robinson believes reaching an FA Cup final would eclipse the ground-breaking Great Escape of three years ago – when the Baggies became the first side occupying bottom spot in the Premier League at Christmas to avoid relegation – and their previous promotions.

But offered the choice between a top flight place and a Wembley FA Cup win there is only one, unhesitating answer.

“I would take promotion over an FA Cup win – definitely,” he says. “You’ve got to take these opportunities as they come along and this is obviously a great chance to reach the final.

“But if I had to make a choice between the two objectives, if I could only have one, it would be the Premiership.

“That’s where I want to be playing against world class players every week. That challenge of being in a Premiership side is what it’s all about for me.

“It is an unbelievable experience and I want it again. We’re the underdogs we can enjoy ourselves, enjoy playing at a fantastic stadium, go there and show what this team can do against an opponent of Portsmouth’s quality.

“We want to be playing against these teams week in and week out and now we’ve got our chance to prove ourselves.

“It’s a massive occasions for us, as a club and as a group of players.

“This level of football is where we want to go and this is a great chance to show to ourselves, our fans and millions of TV viewers that we are capable of doing so.”