Sir Bobby on the mend

Sir Bobby Robson says that he is now making a swift recovery from brain surgery. The 73-year-old had an operation to remove a brain tumour the size of a grape three weeks ago.

Last week he suffered a setback when his body reacted adversely to the surgery and he was temporarily paralysed in his left leg and left arm. However, the boss that took England to the semi-finals of the 1990 World Cup says he is well on the mend now.

He told www.nobok.co.uk, "I'm making progress and recuperating well. The chances are that I will need to be in hospital for another two of three weeks but that is up to the specialist looking after me to decide. I'm on the mend. Every day is a better day and I'm getting more movement"

Sir Bobby was originally taken ill at an Ipswich Town match; the club that he led to the UEFA Cup in 1981 and of whom he is now honorary president, and recovering in hospital has apparently not stopped Robson reading the paper and listening the radio to stay informed about the latest football news.

In his career, he managed Barcelona and Newcastle among others, and he is now employed as a consultant for the Republic of Ireland national team. The Football Association of Ireland hope that his recovery will allow him to participate in next month's matches against Cyprus and the Czech Republic.