Soccer Shorts

A brief view of today's other soccer stories

A brief view of today's other soccer stories

Robson gets the all-clear

Bobby Robson (73) has been given the all-clear following surgery which detected and removed a suspected cancerous growth on his lung.

Robson, who has already twice successfully battled cancer, is reported to be "fighting fit" as he continues his latest recovery.

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An FAI spokesman confirmed that former England manager Robson, now a consultant for Irish manager Steve Staunton, is on the mend after the problem was discovered during routine and unconnected surgery.

"Bobby went in for an operation after a skiing accident when he suffered some damage to his ribs. During the operation, a growth was discovered on his lung and removed. The operation was a complete success. He has had a check-up and has now been given given the all-clear."

Ferguson warns Sven

Alex Ferguson has accused England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson of having a "half-baked idea" about Wayne Rooney's battle to be fit for the World Cup finals.

Ferguson fears the forward, who is recovering from a broken metatarsal in his right foot, may be "pressured into playing before he is ready" and has called for a "realistic approach" from the England camp.

Eriksson has hinted he will name Rooney in his provisional England World Cup squad today and hopes he will recover in time to play some part in Germany.

But Ferguson warned: "I am not going along with this half-baked idea of him going to Germany 80 per cent fit and then find him being pressured into playing before he is ready."

Sommeil may face charge

Manchester City full-back David Sommeil could find himself at the heart of another FA investigation after allegedly spitting at Blackburn striker Paul Dickov yesterday.