Republic of Ireland manager Steve Staunton has revealed Sir Bobby Robson was ready to defy doctors and report for duty for the Euro 2008 qualifier against Germany in 12 days' time. Ex-Newcastle boss Robson is to undergo surgery tomorrow to remove a small brain tumour, described by the former England manager as "the size of a grape". Ireland's international football consultant was then willing to fly to Stuttgart with Staunton and the Ireland squad eight days later for the opening Group D clash. Understandably, Robson has been warned against the risks so quickly following a major operation. "I am in communication with Bobby on a very regular basis," said Staunton. "It is typical of the man that he wanted to be here to take a bit of the heat off myself, but I think the medics advised him against it. "He is going to have his operation on Wednesday and he sees himself as being out this weekend. But I don't think any medical person in the world would advise you to start flying after an operation in your head, and put yourself under the strains and pressures of the week that would follow. But he is very upbeat and looking forward to the October trip when we face Cyprus. He cannot wait to get out there." Staunton has had to rely on Robson for a pick-me-up in the wake of last week's 4-0 friendly hammering by Holland at Lansdowne Road. "He was so bouyant after the game, telling me to forget the first half, which you have to, to a degree, because it was so disappointing," added Staunton. "In talking about the positives in the second half, he was like a young boy again. He was so upbeat. He was delighted with the players' response, how they performed to the end and kept going in the second half." Staunton yesterday named a 23-man squad for the clash with the Germans, with captain Robbie Keane, vice-captain Shay Given, Richard Dunne, Damien Duff and Stephen Ireland all included after missing the defeat to the Dutch through injury. Republic of ireland: Given (Newcastle), Henderson (Brighton), Kenny (Sheffield United), Andy O'Brien (Portsmouth), Dunne (Manchester City), Carr (Newcastle), Finnan (Liverpool), Kelly (Birmingham), Doherty (Norwich), Kilbane (Everton), O'Shea (Manchester United), Reid (Blackburn), Kavanagh (Wigan), Liam Miller (Manchester United), Douglas (Blackburn), Ireland (Manchester City), Duff (Newcastle), McGeady (Celtic), Elliott (Sunderland), Keane (Tottenham), Doyle (Reading), Morrison (Crystal Palace), Alan O'Brien (Newcastle). |
