PAUL Robinson has been deprived of the chance to remind Newcastle United supporters of his talent at Bootham Crescent tonight after admitting he should never have left the Magpies.

Newcastle were scheduled to bring a reserve team to York for the Minstermen's final pre-season friendly before the start of the Conference season on August 14 with Robinson keen to impress against his former club.

But an outbreak of eye infections which have laid low Republic of Ireland internationals Shay Given and Harrogate-born Andy O'Brien, and now ex-Leeds United midfielder Lee Bowyer, has forced the cancellation of this evening's game.

Besides being a significant setback to City's finances - a crowd of 2,000-plus was expected for the friendly - the loss of the game represents a blow for Robinson after the 25-year-old striker admitted how deciding to leave the North-East and move to Wimbledon in 2000 was the worst decision of his career.

Robinson's £1.5million move to London turned into a nightmare and, after failing to make a League appearance for the Dons in three years, he even contemplated quitting football.

He said: "Leaving Newcastle to go to Wimbledon was probably the worst decision I have ever made in my career. I'm a northern lad and I missed home.

"That's not an excuse but I also fell out with the manager and nothing went right and, after leaving Wimbledon, I packed in football for four months because I felt I'd had enough.

"At Newcastle, I had been playing with the likes of Alan Shearer, Duncan Ferguson, Gary Speed and Kieron Dyer which was amazing after coming from Darlington in the Third Division.

"I played against Newcastle last season for Hartlepool and it's always good to get the chance to play against a big club and, for me, it would have been nice to get a goal against them although I'm not that bothered about scoring in pre-season as long as I get plenty when the season starts."

Robinson's biggest footballing claim to fame is being selected ahead of former England captain Shearer for a Newcastle v Sunderland derby match.

The St James' Park outfit lost that game, leading to the departure of manager Ruud Gullit, but City's summer signing has never dwelled on that moment, saying: "To be quite honest, I can't remember how I felt when I was picked ahead of Alan Shearer.

"I suppose it will sink in when I have finished playing. In that situation, you just go out and try to play your game without worrying about who's been dropped to give you your chance."

Shearer, of course, bounced back from Gullit's snub and has carried on scoring goals at the highest level for Newcastle but Robinson is now looking forward to hopefully helping City back into the Football League with a successful season in the Conference.

He said: "I think our pre-season has gone well.

"The 6-1 defeat against Middlesbrough was not the best result but we still played some good stuff.

"I also think Doncaster will surprise a few teams next season and we deserved to beat Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds even though we didn't.

"We've got a fantastic group of lads here and that helps you settle. I'm good friends with Gary Pearson - another northern lad - so we travel in together."

Robinson has also welcomed the competition for places in City's forward line and admits he has been very impressed by teenage Turkish youth international Lev Yalcin.

He said: "I think me and Andy Bishop have played together twice and he's got one and I've got one.

"I also think that Lev Yalcin has been absolutely fantastic from what I've seen. His ability on the ball for a young kid is impressive and he's very aware for his age.

"Nogs (Lee Nogan) is also a proven striker who has scored goals wherever he's been so I'm sure he can also come in and do a job. It's good to have competition. It keeps you on your toes."

City will play a full in-house 11-a-side 90 minute game today to compensate for the cancellation of the Newcastle match.

Updated: 10:54 Friday, August 06, 2004