As omens go, there is every indication Jake Robinson could be a key player providing he is fit for Whitehawk today.

The striker is hoping to return from a hamstring injury as the Hawks entertain Lincoln City in the first round of the FA Cup (2pm).

The Sunday showdown will be Whitehawk’s first ever appearance in the first round of the famous competition and they will do well to make sure the frontman is part of the action.

Robinson has rich memories of playing in the FA Cup, particularly scoring a hat-trick for Albion at that stage of the competition against Northwich Victoria in 2006-07.

The 29-year-old has been on the winning side in all five of his previous appearances against Lincoln, for Aldershot, Shrewsbury (twice), Torquay and Luton – scoring in two of those games.

And to add fuel to the belief he could be a lucky omen, Robinson’s two brothers have already been on target this week, with Lee and Ian scoring for Newhaven on Tuesday.

Could Jake complete the hat-trick for the Robinson family tomorrow afternoon? Don’t bet against it.

Robinson, who trained this week after missing the last two matches, would certainly love to be involved.

The FA Cup has provided some of the high points in a professional career which spanned approaching 250 Football League appearances, half of them for Albion.

His highlights would be Albion’s run to the third round under Dean Wilkins in 2006-07 and playing for Shrewsbury in a first round tie in November 2010 away to a Southampton side featuring Adam Lallana, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Rickie Lambert.

Robinson recalled: “Southampton were top of League One at the time and we were doing reasonably well in League Two. It was a bit men against boys, we didn’t really get a sniff but they had a very good team out including some players who have gone on to do some big things.

“We held our own. We didn’t really look like winning it but at the same time we gave a good account of ourselves. We were the form team in League Two at the time and people maybe thought there was a chance of an upset. It never materialised but I thoroughly enjoyed the game, it is a lovely place to play football.

The Argus:

“The hat-trick for Brighton in the first round against Northwich (pictured above) was one of my favourite memories in football. It was probably the pinnacle of my career, that month around scoring a hat-trick then and scoring a hat-trick at Huddersfield (in the league two weeks earlier).

“It was when it was all going really well for me at Brighton. I went on to score in the next round against Stafford, then we got West Ham away in the third round when I played against Messrs Tevez and Co.

“I started the game (pictured below) and played most of it, I swapped shirts with Carlos at the end. That is still hanging up in my house somewhere, I have never washed it.”

The Argus:

Robinson scored a superb free-kick in Whitehawk’s third qualifying round replay win at Gosport Borough – one of six goals in ten appearances for the Hawks this season.

He is doing all he can to be involved on a special day for the club.

He said: “I love the FA Cup. It is probably the biggest cup competition in the world. I have some good memories of it myself, it has always been one of my favourite competitions.

“It is that hope you have in the back of your mind that you will get one of the bigger teams. Having never played at the top, top level, these are the games you really look forward to.

“Having been at Whitehawk now for two and a bit years, the difference between the club now to when I joined in 2013 is remarkable.

“The progress the club has made and the exposure we are getting is excellent. If we win on Sunday people will be talking about us and then we are one game away from the third round when the magic ties come in to play.”

Robinson believes Hawks have a chance of causing an upset against Conference premier side Lincoln and would love to complete a family hat-trick in the process.

He said: “We are doing well in the league and if we can take that form into the cup I don’t see why we can’t get a result on Sunday.

“Lee (21 goals this season) is holding down the fort for the Robinsons at the moment with me being out injured. Ian is coming on for the first team now and scoring. It would be a bit of a magical week if I could score on Sunday.”