FAI will sit down to talks with Robson
Friday, 6 October 2006 08:40Football Association of Ireland chief executive John Delaney is to meet with Bobby Robson next week to discuss his future.
Robson underwent surgery in late August to remove a small brain tumour, after which he suffered minor complications.
The diagnosis earlier that month meant Ireland's international football consultant was unable to be at boss Steve Staunton's side for the 4-0 defeat to Holland at Lansdowne Road.
Surgery then saw Robson miss the opening European Championship qualifier in Stuttgart in early September when Ireland were beaten 1-0 by Germany, although he watched the game on television from hospital.
Currently recuperating at home, the former England manager will again have to rely on television to watch tomorrow's Group D match in Cyprus and the clash with the Czech Republic on Wednesday.
By the end of next week, Robson will have been absent for four of Staunton's six matches in charge, while he also missed a training camp in Portugal at the end of May through illness.
Delaney is adamant his meeting with Robson 'is certainly not a D-Day', and said: 'Any future Bobby has with us will be completely based on medical advice.
'We always knew he wouldn't be coming to Cyprus and that he would not be in for the Czech Republic game because of recent health matters.
'I've been speaking to him twice a week since his latest setback. He was in hospital, but is out now, and that's something that should be welcomed because he is back in his own surroundings.
'The human side of this is that he is such a smashing person. He is one of the nicest people I've ever met in the game. But I felt it was best to wait until after the Czech Republic match, and after he returned home, to sit down and have a chat about future plans and the current medical advice.
When asked whether Robson was keen to remain involved, Delaney refused to be drawn.
Although he stated: 'You all know him - he loves being involved in football, and is hugely enthusiastic about football full stop. He still writes a Sunday newspaper article and he watches matches on television.
'He watched the Germany game in depth and I got a full recital about it when I spoke to him. So, he has huge enthusiasm, but any future has to be based on medical advice.'
