Desire still burns bright for Sir Bobby

Sir Bobby Robson and Alan Shearer returned to work today ready to launch their latest Newcastle adventure.

The 69-year-old, back on the training pitch for the first time since being knighted in the Queen’s Jubilee Honours, and his captain were in high spirits as the bulk of the squad, excluding World Cup stars Shay Given, Andy O’Brien, Kieron Dyer and new signing Hugo Viana, pulled on their boots once again.

Wales striker Craig Bellamy, who underwent surgery on a knee problem at the end of last season, was among them, although he will not return to full training immediately, but there was no sign of

Frenchman Olivier Bernard, who was invited to return following a Premier League arbitrator’s ruling that he was still a Newcastle player but stayed away after lodging an appeal.

Robson could not hide his excitement as he started his preparations for what promises to be a massive season for the club.

‘‘Isn’t it wonderful?’’, he said as he surveyed his returning troops, fresh from a well-earned summer break.

Shearer, who celebrates his 32nd birthday on August 13, was equally delighted to be back, but admitted he is not particularly looking forward to the hard slog of the first few weeks of pre-season.

‘‘I’m really looking forward to getting back into the swing of things - playing football, that is, not necessarily the running we’ll be doing in the next week or so!’’ he said.

‘‘That said, I’ve had a great summer and I’m raring to go. We know there are great expectations this coming season, but that’s always the case because of the size of this club.’’

Expectations are indeed high at St James’ Park with the prospect of Champions League football and the challenge of building upon last season’s top four finish in the Premiership the main focuses.

It is all a far cry from last summer when the players were dragged back at short notice after being handed a late entry into the InterToto Cup, playing their first competitive game against Sporting Lokeren in Belgium on July 14.

This time around, however, Robson’s battle-scarred troops have rested their weary limbs and are ready to roll up their sleeves once again.

‘‘It’s great to be back,’’ said midfielder Gary Speed. ‘‘I’ve had the longest break from football I can remember, but now I want to get playing again.

‘‘I’ve been keeping myself in shape over the past few weeks, but now it’s time for the real stuff and getting myself match fit.’’

Local boy Robbie Elliott, who lost his place to Frenchman Sylvain Distin at the end of last season, is relishing the chance to fight for his place once again, and has kept himself ticking over in readiness for the coming onslaught.

‘‘I’m delighted to be back,’’ he said. ‘‘I’ve been training hard by myself over the past few weeks in order that I’m in the best possible condition for the season ahead.

‘‘There are high expectations at the club this season and I can’t wait to get started.’’

Chilean Clarence Acuna is another man who faces a fight to force himself into Robson’s plans this season with Viana’s arrival - he will start training, along with Given, O’Brien and Dyer, on July 15 - making competition for places in midfield even more fierce, but he too is prepared for the battle.

‘‘This is a very important season for me, the team, the city and the people of Tyneside,’’ he said.

Meanwhile, Ipswich Town have confirmed that £6million Newcastle target Titus Bramble has agreed personal terms with the Magpies and will remain on Tyneside while the club’s medical staff monitor his recovery from surgery on a heel injury before the deal will be pushed through.

‘‘Titus Bramble has agreed personal terms with Newcastle and is staying up on Tyneside until the medical team at the St James’ Park club is satisfied that his heel injury has cleared up,’’ the club’s official website, www.itfc.co.uk reported today.

‘‘Town and Newcastle agreed a fee for the England Under-21 international last week and Titus and his representatives have been in discussions with the Magpies over the past few days.

‘‘Titus had an operation on his heel at the end of the season after being troubled by the injury on and off during the campaign and Newcastle’s medical team have requested a little more time before they give the green light for the deal to be completed.’’