Robson ‘to battle as always’ as cancer diagnosed for fifth time

BOBBY ROBSON, international football consultant with the Republic of Ireland, has vowed to “battle as I’ve always done” after been diagnosed with cancer for the fifth time.

However, the former England, Barcelona and Newcastle United manager will not be travelling to the US with Ireland later this month.

Robson, aged 74, has battled the disease on and off for the last 15 years, having undergone cancer surgery four times. He had an operation on his lung early last year, while in August he had a brain tumour removed.

Robson told reporters over the weekend that he started a six-week course of chemotherapy treatment last week after doctors discovered small cancerous nodules in his lungs.

Robson has vowed to carry on with his life as normal and will attend his annual charity golf day in Portugal next week before celebrating his 52nd wedding anniversary next month with wife Elsie.

He said yesterday: “Of course, it’s not the greatest news I’ve ever had but I have fought hard throughout my life and I will continue to fight. I will battle as I’ve always done.

“My last operation in August was a success but this time the doctors have said they can’t operate.

“The good news is that they are measuring the nodules in my lungs in millimetres rather than centimetres! “That is encouraging and we are hopeful the treatment will keep it under control. I’ve been advised to keep busy and active, and that’s what I will be trying to do whenever possible.”

Nevertheless, the fact that he will not be travelling to America for the two friendly games (against Ecuador on May 23 and Bolivia on May 26) will be a blow to Steve Staunton, who is already dealing with almost a dozen withdrawals. Damien Duff has been ruled out since mid-April with an ankle injury, while Jonathan Douglas of Leeds United, ruled out after groin surgery, and Ian Harte of Levante, who has had an operation on his left foot, both withdrew over the weekend. Darren O’Dea and Aiden McGeady of Celtic are also ruled out due to a fixture clash with the Scottish Cup final, which is scheduled for May 26.

However, their withdrawals may open the door for others. Birmingham City’s Colin Doyle is expected to make his debut in the States, while other talented youngsters such as Owen Garvan of Ipswich Town and Glenn Whelan of Sheffield Wednesday may figure in Staunton’s plans.

He will have to cope without his international football consultant though.

Robson, the son of a Durham miner, was knighted in 2001 after winning 20 England caps, playing in the 1958 and 1962 World Cups before taking England to the 1990 World Cup semi-finals in an eight-year spell as manager.

He made his name as a manager at Ipswich, winning the FA Cup in 1978 and UEFA Cup in 1981. After leaving the England job in 1990 he managed a string of top European clubs including PSV Eindhoven and Barcelona and led Newcastle from 1999 to 2004.