Express & Star

Robbo will 'kick every ball' against Wolves

Captain Paul Robinson will "kick every ball" with Birmingham City against Wolves tomorrow – as the former Albion skipper paid his own tribute to Jeff Astle Day.

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The Blues veteran will be a frustrated spectator for the Championship visit of his old Black County derby rivals to St Andrew's, as he's suspended.

But the 36-year-old will be leading the cheers from the stands at the club where he's prolonged his career, preparing his team-mates for battle as a leading voice, writes Craig Birch.

The former Baggies stalwart raised the ire of Wolves fans in November's corresponding fixture at Molineux, where the hosts were frustrated to a goalless draw.

He said: "I've had many ups and downs against Wolves down the years, but I seem to have been on the winning side more often than not. Hopefully, that carries on with me in the stands!

"They are flying, at the moment, but I will helping to get the lads ready and fired up for what will be a big local derby. After that, I will be backing the team as loud as I can from my seat.

"It's such an unpredictable league, there's no reason to fear anybody. We took a point at their place, so we will be looking to go one better this time."

Meanwhile, Albion will remember one of the club's greatest legends when Leicester City are the visitors to the Hawthorns.

The home players will wear replica kits from the 1968 FA Cup final - Astle's finest hour – in only the second time the Premier League has sanctioned a one-off change.

The free-scoring striker passed on in 2002 from a degenerative brain disease and was later confirmed as the first footballer to die as a result of heading the old leather balls.

Robinson, who arrived at the club for a seven-season spell the year after Astle's death, believes it's a fitting tribute.

He said: "What a legend, having played for and captained Albion I know as much as anyone else how much Jeff Astle means to the club.

"I am still in contact with his family on Twitter and I have been following everything they have doing, it's such a great cause.

"Not enough is being done to raise awareness and support footballers who have suffered the consequences of the game, after they hang up their boots.

"Every player who goes out on the field should feel honoured to wear that special shirt and help to see that Jeff isn't forgotten."

He launched his biographical book 'Robbo - An Unsung Hero,' written by Keith Dixon, in his home ground's Blues Superstore this week.

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