Blackburn goalkeeper Paul Robinson was today ruled out for up to four weeks after tearing a calf muscle against former club Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday. The 30-year-old pulled up midway through the match at White Hart Lane, with the initial prognosis being a six-week lay-off.

But Rovers have now confirmed they hope he will be back quicker than that. "It looks like we will be without Paul for up to four weeks," said manager Sam Allardyce.

Although the news is better than first feared for Robinson, it remains a blow to the player as he bids to claim a place in England's 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ squad despite stiff competition from the likes of Robert Green, David James, Joe Hart and Ben Foster. However, Chris Samba has urged his Blackburn team-mate not to give up hope.

Samba told the Lancashire Telegraph: "I hope Paul is not out for too long. The World Cup is coming and he has to defend his chances. I hope he recovers quick and can defend his chances.

I hope Paul is not out for too long. The World Cup is coming. I think he definitely deserves his place for England. Hopefully he can come back fit and show that.
Chris Samba on Paul Robinson

"We all want to see him back for us and for England. Of course he still has a chance. I think he definitely deserves his place for the World Cup for England. Hopefully he can come back fit and show that."

Robinson was replaced at White Hart Lane by Jason Brown, who was making his first league appearance of the season. And Samba is confident the 27-year-old former Gillingham man can plug the gap left.

"We have keepers and whoever plays we trust to cover Paul Robinson and to do his best," said the defender. "If Jason delivers on the pitch what he delivers in training every day, then there won't be any problem. He plays well for us when he plays and we will have no worries at all, we know we will be fine."