GOALKEEPER Paul Robinson will make his first appearance for Blackburn Rovers in more than a year in today’s FA Cup third-round tie with Manchester City at Ewood Park.

The former England number one, who has now fully recovered from the blood clot on his lung that threatened his life, has not played for Rovers’ first team since the 4-1 home defeat to Cardiff City on December 7, 2012.

Robinson has played in behind-closed-doors friendlies and for the club’s under-21s team after returning to full training.

The 34-year-old takes the place of Simon Eastwood between the posts and is one of three changes to the side which started the 2-1 Championship win at Leeds United on New Year’s Day.

Top scorer Jordan Rhodes and DJ Campbell drop to the bench and are replaced by Adam Henley and the suspension-free Jason Lowe.

City, chasing glory on four fronts and with a Capital One Cup semi-final first leg at home to West Ham United to come in four days’ time, make seven changes to the team that started their 3-2 victory at Swansea City which kept them one point off top spot in the Premier League.

But City boss Manuel Pellegrini is still able to name players of the calibre of Fernandinho, David Silva, Alvaro Negredo and Edin Dzeko in his starting line-up – and the likes of Joe Hart, captain Vincent Kompany, Yaya Toure and Jesus Navas to call on from the bench.

Rovers: Robinson, Henley, Dann, Hanley, Spurr, Marshall, Williamson, Lowe, Taylor, Cairney, Gestede. Subs: Eastwood, Kilgallon, King, Campbell, Rhodes, Rochina, Judge.

City: Pantilimon, Boyata, Nastasic, Lescott, Clichy, Milner, Fernandinho, Javi Garcia, Silva, Negredo, Dzeko. Subs: Hart, Kompany, Zabaleta, Kolarov, Yaya Toure, Jesus Navas, Lopes.