STEVE ROBINSON would love to cap a frustrating second half of the campaign with a starring role in a play-off drama but he is not about to cheat his manager, teammates or supporters in order to get his dream part.

The 29-year-old will see a specialist early next week to see if his broken leg has finally knitted back together satisfactorily. The man known as 'Turbo' has not kicked a ball in anger since hobbling off in agony during Town's 2-2 draw at Blackpool on January 31.

What was at first thought to be nothing more than bad bruising turned out to be two cracks in the leg. Robinson was devastated at the time but after three months on the sidelines he is slowly but surely making progress.

He paints a lonely picture at the moment, engaged in running, running and more running alongside Town physio Dick Mackey.

Saturday's match against Hartlepool United will come too soon for Robinson but should Town finally cross the play-off line, there is a slim chance that he may yet pull on his boots before the end of the season.

However, the odds are not in the midfielder's favour and he is not about to start trying to convince anyone that he is ready if he knows in his heart that he's not.

He said: "I'd be lying if I said it hasn't been difficult not to be involved for so long. You watch the lads playing on a Saturday and then see them laughing and joking in the five-a-sides at training while you're ploughing up and down another pitch.

"Still, you just have to be as positive as possible. There's always someone who's worse off than you. There's no point in getting all bitter about it."

He would love to share some good times with the club, hopefully some play-off glory, but he has too much respect for the club to try to take part in the festivities if he is not capable of making a meaningful contribution.

He said: "It'd be fantastic to be part of a play-off occasion if we get there but if I'm not right then I'm not right. I'm not about to try and kid anyone otherwise. That's just not me."

Whether he receives the all-clear from the specialist or not, Robinson is hoping that he will be part of Town's plans next season.

His contract is up and he is hoping that a new one-year deal will be forthcoming. He said: "I've had a bit of a chat with the gaffer and I'm hoping something can be sorted out."

While Robinson's season hangs in the balance, another midfielder in the wars is Stefani Miglioranzi.

The New Yorker limped off with an ankle injury during the 1-0 defeat at Queens Park Rangers and he is rated as 'doubtful' ahead of Saturday's play-off showdown with Hartlepool United.