Robinson's heading work in training is paying dividends for PNE

Preston front pair Jordan Hugill and Callum Robinson share a joke

Three of Robinson’s nine goals this season have been headers, an aspect of his game the 22-year-old has worked on since last summer’s full-time move to Deepdale.

He scored with a glancing header in last week’s victory over Birmingham, adding to the headers against Fulham and Rotherham.

North End boss Grayson said: “When Callum first came to the club he didn’t want to head the ball or didn’t like heading it.

“He has spent a lot of time on the training ground doing work on his heading.

“We told him there would be occasions where he had to head the ball and it could be the difference between winning and losing.

“Callum has now scored two or three times with his head and it shows that working on your weaknesses can help you along the way.

“He’s done well for us as a striker this season, he has got pace and will naturally drift into wide positions at times where centre-halves don’t like to go.”

Robinson and Jordan Hugill have in the main been Grayson’s favoured forward line in the last six weeks.

And it was a partnership which got an 11-game run in the Championship from late September through to the middle of December.

“Jordan and Callum have been doing really well up there,” said Grayson.

“They work well together and bring different things to the team.

“Jordan has the physical presence, while his hold-up play and work-rate is good.

“Callum has the work-rate as well as pace and trickery when he gets the ball at his feet.

“One is in double figures of goals, the other is nearly in double figures.

“They work hard for the team and not just in front of goal – sometimes it is a case of one of them dropping back to pressure the opposition’s deep-sitting midfielder which helps us defensively.

“Jordan and Callum will be the first to say that the lads behind them have been supplying the ammunition for them to have chances and score.”

It has been reported that Robinson has caught the eye of the Republic of Ireland.

The FAI have looked into his eligibility and it is claimed he does quality to play for them.

Robinson was capped for England at Under-16, 17, 19 and 20 level but that would not be a bar to switching international allegiance.

Roy Keane and Steve Guppy, who are on the Republic of Ireland coaching staff, have been at recent North End home matches watching PNE’s Irish contingent.