Robinson's keeper worry

Paul Robinson is concerned about the lack of English keepers coming through the ranks.

England number one Paul Robinson has expressed concern about the lack of home-grown goalkeepers coming through the ranks.

Tottenham Hotspur shot-stopper Robinson heads into the World Cup firmly established as his country's first choice, with Manchester City veteran David James as his understudy.

But to supply a third goalkeeping alternative, England coach Sven Goran Eriksson had to turn to The Championship for cover.

Robert Green was initially included in the squad, but the Norwich City keeper was ruled out with a groin injury suffered in the England B game against Belarus.

Scott Carson is now England's third choice between the posts, but he has featured rarely for Liverpool and spent the end of last season on loan at Sheffield Wednesday.

Eriksson also put Ben Foster on stand-by, with the 23-year-old having enjoyed the entire campaign on loan at Watford from Manchester United.

This dearth of English keepers in The Premiership is a worry for Robinson, who hopes the situation will improve over the coming years.

"When Robert Green got injured, it was difficult to look past Scott and Ben Foster because there are not many young English goalkeepers coming through," lamented Robinson.

"Hopefully, that situation can change in the next couple of years and more can emerge.

"For me, the real talent I look at is Scott Carson.

"But he needs to be playing and whether or not that is with Liverpool or going out on loan somewhere else it does not matter - he just needs to be playing week in, week out."