Rams chance for Robert
03 Jan 2008 - 09:09:00
Derby County have handed a trial to former Newcastle winger Laurent Robert as Paul Jewell looks to rejuvenate his beleaguered side.
Robert, 32, is available on a free transfer after leaving Spanish side Levante last month.
The French winger spent five seasons on Tyneside after joining the Magpies from Paris St Germain for £9.5million in 2001.
However, after a series of fall outs with various managers, he was allowed to join Portsmouth on loan before eventually being handed a free transfer and signing for Benfica.
Rams boss Paul Jewell is keen to use the transfer window to inject some fresh impetus into his side, who are currently rock-bottom of the Premier League table and eight points adrift of their nearest relegation rivals.
Speaking after Wednesday's 1-0 defeat at Bolton, he said: "He's (Robert) coming in on Friday and we'll see how he looks.
"We'll have a look and see what condition he is in and we'll see if he is right for us.
"In January plenty needs to happen. The players are down after the Bolton result and you expect that.
"It seems like one blow after another at the moment and it tests our resolve, but we can't feel sorry for ourselves."
Meanwhile, Jewell is also set to sign Argentine frontman Emanuel Villa from Mexican side UAG Tecos.