But at the end of the campaign Richardson expressed a desire to return to Old Trafford to try to force his way into manager Sir Alex Ferguson’s first-team plans for the forthcoming season.

The midfielder’s quest was further aided when his form with Albion was recognised with a call-up to the England squad for the mini-tour to the United States. He went on to make a stunning debut by scoring both goals in a 2-1 win over the hosts.

Richardson will initially have the chance to shine with United as he is in a 20-man party that travels to the Far East later this month.

Robson, though, feels Richardson will return to The Hawthorns for a second-loan spell due to the competition for midfield places at United which would hamper his chances of a regular England place.

“Even if Kieran goes on tour with United, I’m still very hopeful he will be playing for us next year,” said Robson in the Express and Star.

“The main thing for Kieran to realise is that he is going to have Giggs, Scholes, Rooney, Ronaldo, Park Ji-Sung, Keane and Fletcher all competing for a place.

“Those are his main competitors. That’s seven players going for four places and if Kieran stays there it will be eight.

“He knows that if he’s going to go to the World Cup he must be playing first-team football – Sven-Goran Eriksson has told him that and it is a big question mark for him.”

Robson, meanwhile, has taken Poland international Jaroslaw Bieniuk on trial, with the 26-year-old Amica Wronki centre-half to spend a week training with the club.

“We watched him towards the end of last season,” added Robson.

“He’s an experienced player and he’s got a good presence. From the reports we have had he sounds a decent player.”