Robbo's Replacement: Who Can Fill Spurs' Gloves?

The past few seasons have seen the Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper jersey filled by the familiar and previously reliable face of England international 'keeper Paul Robinson.

However, after a series of errors earlier this season he was replaced several games ago by his Czech understudy, Radek Cerny.

Since new manager Juande Ramos arrived from Spain speculation has been rife that the goalkeeper's position is one that Ramos will look to improve on by way of a new signing.

But who are the main candidates to succeed Robbo as Spurs' number one stopper?

Santiago Cañizares

The Valencia stopper has been linked in the Spanish press with a move to Tottenham along with midfielder David Albelda, after falling out of favour with new Valencia coach Ronald Koeman.

A top stopper in his time but Cañizares is well into his 30's now and would be only seen as a short term measure, making this move seem unlikely if Ramos waits until Summer to choose a new man.

Robert Green

Before his move from Norwich to West Ham there was speculation that Green was wanted by both Arsenal and Tottenham - and the rumours have it that they are both watching him again.

Green has been consistent in his form with the Hammers but they would be loath to lose him and he would probably command a hefty fee, though Green may feel it would help his England chances to move to a side playing in European competition - if Spurs manage to qualify next season again of course.

Ben Alnwick

England under-21 stopper Alnwick was signed by Ramos' predecessor Martin Jol from Sunderland and is heralded as a highly promising player.

However lack of playing time in the Premiership may go against him, though Ramos has already shown with the likes of Boateng and O'Hara that just because a player wasn't in the frame with the previous regime does not mean they cannot prove themselves a part of the team now.

Radek Cerny

The experienced stopper must sieze this opportunity if he wants to establish himself as a Premiership number one. A run of games over the second half of the season might be enough to convince Ramos that he is good enough to be retained and be a mainstay in the Spurs lineup.

A commanding presence and so far so good in his last few games but Ramos is sure to take some convincing that Cerny can perform week in week out over a long period of time.

Marcus Amelia

Long touted as Gigi Buffon's successor to the Italian national team's goalkeeping jersey, Amelia has resolutely staved off advances from bigger teams to stay with his Livorno.

Sooner or later though, a big enough challenge must surely tempt him away from battling relegation every season, and teams looking to reinforce their goalkeeping department would do well to turn their heads this way.

Andres Palop

Ramos' keeper at Sevilla, he was Cañizares' understudy at Valencia for a time until first team football came calling.

Steady and with good reflexes, if Ramos cannot pinpoint someone else he wants he may well decide to turn to someone he already knows and trusts, and Palop may jump at the chance to be reunited with his mentor.

Ben Foster

The highly rated Manchester United keeper is out injured this season but showed his Premiership pedigree last season on loan to Watford. When he returns from injury he faces stern competition from both current stopper Ed van der Sar and backup Tomasz Kuszczak and may want a more certain environment to develop his career in.

Touted as a future England 'keeper, Foster faces a big decision over whether to continue trying to force his way into the United team or moving somewhere where the manager buys him to play as number one immediately.

Manuel Neuer

A name probably largely unknown, but the 21-year old stopper is first choice goalkeeper for Champions League outfit FC Schalke. The 6' 4'' 'keeper has played every Bundesliga and European game for the German outfit this season and was voted Best Goalkeeper of the League by his fellow players for his performances last season.

Noted as the most promising young goalkeeper in Germany by some distance, Neuer is sure to be in international squads in the not-too-distant future and will soon become the focal point of scouts' attentions if he is not already.