Martinez revives interest in Robertson

The story makes no sense as written. A 19-year-old kid from the middling Scottish league is not remotely an immediate replacement for a 23-year-old international with two years of EPL experience like Oviedo. As a prospect for the future? Terrific. As cover for Baines in the run-in for a CL place and the FA Cup? Not likely.

No idea who this guy is, but a temporary fill in for oviedo is definitely needed. The truth is, we need to add more depth at every position if we want to play in the CL or Europa league next year and still compete in the BPL. I don't want something like what happened to Newcastle last season to happen to us. They didn't have the depth, and then really struggled in the league games.

Is the level he is playing at in Scotland really much higher than the level Garbutt is playing at with Cheltenham? I think that if we are only buying him to fill a gap then that is the question we need to ask.

Coleman came from Sligo and has done pretty well. I don't think the players current league should be any reason to discount them. However we have a decent young left-back in Luke Garbutt who has been doing well on loan with Colchester and has lots of England youth experience too. Perhaps its time to recall him?

I was waiting for this story. We were linked with him and a couple of other Dundee United players including the lad Gauld a couple of months ago. At the time everyone presumed it was a sign Baines was on his way and he would be back up to Oviedo. Following Oviedo's injury the Mirror have gone back through their old stories to see which LB we were last linked with and resurrected the story. For the record Garbutt's loan is due to end next month

Drew, I see what you mean, but when we bought Coleman, it wasn't as a automatic replacement for a player or to fill an immediate gap due to injury. At the moment we are short of cover, what is the better option? Spend money on a player or simply utilise an existing club player.

Rumours are back for the Bruno Martins Indis as a well. My fellow journos really aren't trying very hard are they.

Agree that a Garbutt call back from loan is a good option, I think the lad could have a future at this level and at least get an opportunity to prove it. Can't comment on the Dundee lad.

That would give us LB cover but I think we need another attacking/creative midfielder as cover for Oviedo (who's had to slot in midfield of late) and the endless niggly injuries to Peinaar, decline of Ossie etc

Didn't get chance to say it over weekend - good luck Bryan, gutted for you but I know you'll come back strong.

Great news. Let's hope his little South African mate is back.

I strongly expect Barry is penciled in as left back cover if need be, so this story kind of makes sense.

And is Garbutt cup tied?

Lewis, along that line of thinking, I think it would be worth bringing in a centre mid to take Barry's place, rather than another left back....which would give us 3 left backs in a few months time.

Currently we're really struggling if Barry or McCarthy are injured or suspended and I can see Gibson being out injured next season too given his record. Alternatively we could use Conor Grant who didn't look out of place during pre-season as a cheaper, home-grown solution.

Yes, Garbutt is cup-tied. Played and scored when Colchester went out to Sheffield United.

Depending on the loan deal, it's not always just a case of recalling someone. Might have to wait until the expiry (which is sometime in February in the current deal).

Don't see a major problem with bringing in another player to act as cover and also as one for the future, at what would presumably be a relatively nominal fee.

Everyone realises the standard in Scotland isn't very high but Robertson is a prospect Id be happy if we signed, He is playing at a higher level in Scotland than McCarthy was when Martizez took him to Wigan, hes a defensive player who started out playing further forward, I see him as a very Martinez type signing.

We all of course want big name signings or full internationals, but if Martinez can get some young players in from less fashionable leagues for minimal money and groom them into players of the calibre of McCarthy or Coleman then Id be delighted.

I still hope we sign Gauld. before he captains Scotland to World cup glory in Qatar......haha

Err Didnt we get Graeme Sharpe from Dumbarton !!!

The more relevant question is: are Robertson or Garbutt anywhere near good enough (yet) to be back-up for Baines or are they both just merely prospects?

Alcaraz is an option for LB (if fit), its a position he's played for previous clubs when needed.

If we need a reserve left back on the cheap, I'd go for Evra.

If he has prospects of making a midfield player as well then yes, but I don't think were desperate for him if he's an out & out full back.