BLACKBURN Rovers goalkeeper Paul Robinson is hoping to make his long-awaited return to training next week.

The former England No.1 has been ruled out for the last eight months after a blood clot formed on his lung.

Robinson, 33, received the news following a back operation in March and was immediately put on Warfarin.

But he stopped taking the blood-thinning tablets last weekend and, provided blood tests he underwent yesterday come back positive, he aims to be back training at Brockhall on Monday.

Robinson said: “It’s been difficult for me because it’s the first time throughout my whole career that I’ve had anything which has completely stopped me from doing anything.

“Usually you can do weights or go for a run of whatever but literally for three or four months they said to me you can’t do anything.

“It was tough at the start, then I enjoyed a bit of a rest and got my head around it, but now’s it’s frustrating and time to get back.”

Robinson believes he is returning to calmer club under manager Gary Bowyer after the chaos of last season.

He said: “Things are going well. We’ve got a bit of stability for a change and I think that’s the biggest thing.

“The manager has done a great job, he’s brought in a few of his own players and he’s been able to manipulate a few things how he wants them to be done.

“The owners have obviously had a steep learning curve with what they’ve been through the last three or four years since owning the club.

“But I think finally now they’ve got some good advice from somewhere and the club seems to be coming back to an even keel, the supporters are starting to come back, results are picking up, and stability is happening.”

Once he regains his fitness Robinson is determined to play his part in what he hopes will be a successful campaign for Rovers.

He said: “I’ve got this season and next season on my contract and I just want to get fit, play again and help Blackburn climb up the league.”

Robinson, meanwhile, has thrown his support behind England’s Joe Hart.

“It’s a joke we’re even talking about it. It’s the old thing with English goalkeepers.

“Look at David Seaman, David James, myself. We have a habit of witch-hunting English goalkeepers when we should actually be getting behind them.”