Albion hardman Paul Robinson is ready to cut “Mr Big” down to size, writes Steve Madeley.

There will be no hard feelings, but the Baggies’ need for points is too great for Robinson to let Kanu off the hook on his return to The Hawthorns.

The Nigerian is back on his old stomping ground tomorrow for the first time since his exit from The Hawthorns two years ago.

Robinson has fond memories of the man whose giant feet earned him the tag of “Mr Big”.

The full-back joked: “Kanu is so laid back. Sometimes when he was playing I thought he was asleep. But around the place he was funny and he loves football.

“He has got a great charity in Nigeria; he’s that kind of person.

“His nickname was Mr Big. Don’t ask me why. I think it’s because he’s tall.

“But he has ‘oars’ on his feet. I went for a warm-up in his boots once with my own boots inside them and they fell off! He’s a size 15, I think.”

Despite Kanu’s laid-back approach to life, Robinson is all too aware of the threat his former team-mate will pose if he is needed to deputise for in-form strike pair Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch.

Kanu, if it needs reminding, scored the goal that dumped Albion out of the FA Cup in the semi-final last season.

Robinson adds: “There were a few times I gave him a rocket for not running but, when you give him the ball to feet you understand why he doesn’t want to run for it.

“He’s had a great career. He has got that ability that players love playing with.

“I hope he gets a good reception. The fans remember people who have that twinkle about them.

“He has great ability and on his day he can open up defences with his passes and he’s a threat.

“Kanu is up there with some of the best I’ve played with. He can’t get into the Pompey side but that shows the strength of the Premier League now.

“Quality players are sitting on benches.

“Because he also didn’t play week in and week out here, it was difficult for him, but when he did play, we got the best out of him.

“Kanu had a decision to make in the end and as players you have to do that. We got relegated and it was his decision to move on.

“But the players loved having him around.”

NB: around 1,500 tickets were still available to Baggies fans today after Portsmouth decided against taking their full allocation, enabling the Smethwick End void to be moved to

accommodate more home

fans. They will be available from the East Stand box office until stocks last.

Season-ticket holders and members can also buy online.