Stay at home, Staunton pleads with Sir Bobby

Republic of Ireland boss Steve Staunton has urged Bobby Robson not to travel to Portugal later this month – although believes his words will fall on deaf ears.

Robson, appointed the Republic’s international football consultant earlier this year and effectively Staunton’s right-hand man, was recently given the all-clear following surgery to remove a suspected cancerous growth on his lung.

The egg-sized tumour was discovered when he attended hospital for a routine x-ray and minor operation to repair lung damage caused by a rib injury sustained in a skiing accident in February.

Although apparently eager to resume his duties, Staunton feels it will be in Robson’s best interests if he remains at home while he and the Ireland squad undertake a four-day training camp in Portugal ahead of a Lansdowne Road friendly with Chile on May 24.

“It’s never nice to hear about something like what has happened to Bobby,” said Staunton of the former England manager.

“But as it has turned out, it is very fortunate he had that skiing accident.

“He has now been given a clean bill of health, but despite that, I have told him not to even think about heading out to Portugal.

“Knowing Bobby he will be determined, and depending on how he is feeling, he will probably come in for the Chile game.”

Staunton has also confirmed Stephen Carr is to come out of retirement, although has not included the Newcastle right-back in a 29-man squad on this occasion.

Carr, who quit last year following Ireland’s failure to qualify for the World Cup this summer, will instead return for the friendly with Holland in August.

“I’ve spoken to him [Carr] and he is ready to come back,” confirmed Staunton.

“But I’ve told him to leave it for this squad and return for our game with Holland.”

Staunton has named a larger-than-average squad “so as many players as possible can experience how we operate and play together.”

Spurs winger Andy Reid returns after missing Staunton’s first match in charge - a 3-0 victory over Sweden on March 1 – through injury.

Leeds’ on-loan duo Liam Miller and Jonathan Douglas are also named, but will not be expected to figure should United reach the Coca-Cola Championship play-off final.

Jason Byrne, who plays for eircom League side Shelbourne, is new to Staunton’s regime after winning just one cap, that against Poland in 2004.

Also included is up-and-coming Tottenham striker Terry Dixon, who caught the eye of Staunton throughout a recent Under-17 Championship event.

“I like to reward players at each level, so I’ve included Terry on this occasion,” added Staunton.

“He has a special talent, and I know he is highly rated at Spurs, so we will see how he develops.”

Republic of Ireland squad: Given (Newcastle), Kenny (Sheff Utd), Henderson (Brighton), Breen (Sunderland), O’Brien (Portsmouth), Dunne (Man City), O’Brien (Bolton), Harte (Levante), Finnan (Liverpool), Lawrence (Sunderland), Kelly (Tottenham), O’Shea (Man Utd), Reid (Blackburn), Reid (Tottenham), Kavanagh (Wigan), Douglas (Leeds), Lee (Cardiff), Quinn (Sheff Utd), Doyle (Coventry), Miller (Leeds), Kilbane (Everton), Duff (Chelsea), Elliott (Sunderland), Doyle (Reading), McGeady (Celtic), Dixon (Tottenham), Byrne (Shelbourne), Keane (Tottenham), Morrison (Crystal Palace).