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BEST news of the week is that Bobby Robson can resume his role at Steve Staunton’s side.

Whether the arrangement can actually reap tangible rewards for Irish football is still a moot point but Robson’s return to the game he loves and recovery from yet another serious health setback, are reasons to be cheerful.

And while, up until now, his hands-on role in the Ireland set-up may have been severely limited, there is reason to believe the support he gave Staunton by telephone in the torrid days between the games against Cyprus and the Czech Republic, was invaluable.