'Like a new signing' - Exclusive: Robinson thrilled as West Ham player receives 'Massive boost'
Paul Robinson revealed he was thrilled about West Ham defender Winston Reid taking the next step in his recovery by featuring for New Zealand during the international break.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider correspondent Laura O'Leary, the former Tottenham goalkeeper shared that he thought Reid had received a "massive boost" by getting 45 minutes under his belt by featuring for New Zealand in their 3-1 loss to the Republic of Ireland.
The Hammers centre-back featured against Ireland before being released from New Zealand's squad ahead of their clash with Lithuania due to an arranged agreement between the Kiwi's and West Ham.
Robinson stated that Manuel Pellegrini and the Hammers will be delighted that Reid got a run out for his nation as he'll be like a new signing upon coming back into the team.
When asked if he was happy to see Winston Reid back playing for New Zealand, Robinson told Football Insider: "Yeah it's always nice to see someone coming back after a long-term injury and I'm sure Manuel Pellegrini and West Ham will be delighted as they're in a real rut of form and he'll be like a new signing coming back into the team.
"As you've said, he was a regular in the team before his injury and it is going to take him time to reach the levels he did previously, when you're out for such a long time, you need to rehab properly which I'm sure he would have been doing over the last few weeks.
"And to get 45 minutes under his belt, it would have been a massive boost for him, but it's still going to be a long road back."
Reid hasn't featured for the Hammers' senior side since injuring his knee in the 4-1 loss to Swansea City in March 2018.
The 31-year-old was previously a regular in the Hammers' first-team and he has racked up 223 appearances for the London club since joining from Danish side FC Midtjylland in 2010.