Estonia number one Mart Poom believes Paul Robinson has the "mental toughness" to show England are right to keep faith in him.The Tottenham goalkeeper has come under fire following a series of recent high-profile errors for both club and country.

England manager Steve McClaren, though, maintains Robinson will be between the posts for the European Championship qualifiers this week.

Despite the criticism, Robinson, 27, has secured five successive clean sheets in qualifiers since his infamous air-shot against Croatia in Zagreb 12 months ago.

Watford keeper Poom - who has spent more than a decade in the England with spells at Derby, Sunderland and Arsenal - reckons Robinson is the man for the top job.

"Of course, I know what he's going through, but the pressure comes with the territory and obviously if you make a mistake as a goalkeeper you know you are going to be criticised, especially if you play for such a big country as England," said Poom, who trained with Estonia in the familiar surroundings of Watford's London Colney complex this evening.

"But Paul is a very good goalkeeper and if you look at the record in qualifiers, it is fantastic."

Poom added: "I am glad that what I read that his club manager Martin Jol and the England manager Steve McClaren has supported him and they stick with him.

"It's important for a goalkeeper that the managers' have confidence in him and trust him - but yes, you know it's a special position and I'm sure he's mentally strong and he will come through this."

Portsmouth's David James and Scott Carson, on loan from Liverpool at Aston Villa, are the other two keepers at McClaren's disposal.

Poom, though, feels Robinson has the ability to make the jersey his own for some time yet.

"Paul has the shirt at the moment and he will do anything to keep it," said the Estonia goalie.

"The competition is fairly strong - David James is excellent and obviously they have got younger ones pushing him. Ben Foster is injured at the moment - he had two fantastic years here at Watford. Then there is Scott Carson, Robert Green, Chris Kirkland.

"I know there is talk that there is not enough English goalkeepers, but I think there are some good English goalkeepers still."

Poom, 35, is currently battling to be fit from a back problem - and is desperate to face England and fulfil his Wembley dream - even if it means a pain-killing injection.

"Obviously, I would like to feel better, but I am desperate to play at Wembley," he said.

"I have lived for this game for more than a month because I have been playing with a back injury also at Watford."

Poom declared: "Whatever it takes, I'm going to be there. It could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for playing at Wembley for me, so obviously I don't want to miss it.

"My family are looking forward to it and fingers crossed that I will make it.

"I hope I can produce a great performance. I dream about it.

"I will speak to the medical people and I will try some light training today and tomorrow and see how it goes."

Should he come through the pain-barrier, Poom could well be in for a busy afternoon.

Estonia - ranked 127th in the world - have only gained four points from their 10 Group E games and have no chance of qualifying for next summer's tournament in Switzerland and Austria.

Poom reflected: "It doesn't matter who plays for them, it's going to be a very hard game not just for me, but for all of us.

"We want to give our best and show that we deserve to play in such a great stadium as Wembley.

"We can't qualify, but we play with pride and have to enjoy it, for all of us it is a special game

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