CARL ROBINSON, the man whose crucial goal booked Sunderland's place in the top six, has never tasted success in the Division One play-offs.

The midfielder was with Wolves on two occasions - defeats to Crystal Palace and Norwich - when the Molineux club failed to clinch a place in the Premiership in 1997 and then again in 2000.

And, although he failed to play his part on the field, Robinson insists he took the dejection of failure as much as every other Wolves player who took part.

Now, after having his loan move from Portsmouth extended until after the play-offs, the Welsh international wants to return to his country's capital on May 29 and help Sunderland clinch their spot in the top-flight.

And Robinson claims victory at the Millennium Stadium will more than make up for finishing behind leaders Norwich and runners-up West Brom in the league.

"I have not got the best play-off experience and I know how hard it is to lose. I don't want to go through that again," said Robinson, from Llandrudod in the valleys of mid-Wales.

"But it's a great occasion, it's the best way to go up. You want to go up automatically but if you go up through the play-offs it's a great day, you play at Cardiff and it would be special to me.

"This club would get a lot of fans going down and we might get 35-40,000 down there so what an occasion that would be. When the international games are on I always end up buying 50 odd tickets for my friends and family. It'll probably be the same again but it will be worth it because we will be fighting to be in the Premiership."

Robinson is likely to play in central midfield again at Burnley tomorrow, as he looks to strengthen his case for a permanent move to the Stadium of Light.

But the Wales international insists that all talks between the two clubs regarding his future are on hold until the Black Cats' fate is decided.

"Any player wants to play in the Premiership, I'm no different," he said. "I want to help Sunderland get there because a club of this size deserves it.

"I have another year on my contract at Portsmouth and I haven't spoken to Harry Redknapp (manager) about his plans for next year. If we get promoted then I will sit down and talk from there.

"Sunderland are a great club. If they are in the First Division then it's a club I would still be interested in joining."

Having gone through a patch of three consecutive defeats - form which eventually led to them losing touch with the top two - Sunderland have responded by winning one and drawing two of their last three games.

Robinson believes victory at Turf Moor tomorrow will help to continue the momentum ahead of the play-off semi-finals. "We go to Burnley in the play-offs and everyone is fighting for places now," he said.

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