Former Sheffield United captain Jack Robinson confirms Bramall Lane return plan after Derby County transfer switch
Former Sheffield United skipper Jack Robinson has joined Derby County on a short-term deal but is not expecting to feature against his old club this weekend, with a return to action pencilled in for later this month...
Jack Robinson does not expect to be involved against his former club Sheffield United this weekend after signing a short-term deal with their upcoming opponents Derby County. The former Blades skipper had been a free agent since leaving Birmingham City earlier this summer.
He has had to bide his time before finding a new club but Derby’s defensive struggles - John Eustace is missing a number of key players ahead of this weekend’s trip to Bramall Lane - saw them hand the 33-year-old a deal until January.
He has been training on his own but is not going to be rushed into action with the Rams, who are without Sondre Langas, Eiran Cashin and Matt Clarke as they look to kickstart their season after a poor start.
“I think football's changing a little bit, you know,” said Robinson. “Clubs are going down different directions, so it was about just waiting for that opportunity again to come in.
“I know there's been a few injuries here, so the club have asked me to come in and help until January, which I was more than happy to do. I feel OK. I feel good.
“I've always been naturally fit anyway, so I probably just need a week's fitness and then obviously I can start getting involved more. I should be looking at the Millwall game.”
That trip to The Den is on October 31, although Robinson is expected to make the return to Bramall Lane this weekend as part of Eustace’s squad. He played more than 160 times for United, helping them to promotion in 2023, and captained the Blades in the Premier League.
Derby came within a whisker of gatecrashing the play-off last season, before a last-day defeat to United at Pride Park scuppered their hopes, and they have found this term more of a struggle.
They have won one of their 11 league games so far, are the joint-lowest scorers in the Championship and travel to Bramall Lane second bottom of the table.
“I know Rhian [Brewster] from Sheffield, Cash last year from Birmingham,” Robinson added. “And obviously I've played against a lot of the boys here as well, so I know them quite well. It's nice to come into a group where you do know quite a few people.
“Speaking to Rhian, I think he's surprised as well where they are at the minute. It just happens in football sometimes. The squad here is a really, really good, experienced squad as well.
“I have no doubt that things can change here quickly. Obviously, you've just got to find that bit of luck from somewhere just to get that win on the ball, get that run going and you find yourself flying up the table again.”