Robson recovering: Bobby Robson is recovering after a skiing accident which caused the 73-year-old rib and lung damage.
The former England manager, who is working as international football consultant with the Republic of Ireland, has undergone minor surgery on the affected lung. Robson sustained the injury in February and is expected back at work in the near future.
A statement from the Football Association of Ireland described Robson as being "in good form" after the operation. He had fallen on the slopes but avoided serious injury.
"The operation was very successful and it is expected that Sir Bobby will spend a short time recuperating," added the FAI statement.
Robson is said to be "still hopeful" of travelling with manager Steve Staunton's squad to Portugal next month, when they have a training camp.
Staunton said: "Knowing Bobby as I do he will be back fighting fit in no time."
Kahn not quitting
Germany's Oliver Kahn has declared himself ready to be Jens Lehmann's understudy at the World Cup. The Bayern Munich goalkeeper was informed by national team coach Jurgen Klinsmann last Friday that Arsenal's goalkeeper Lehmann would be Germany's first choice.
That led to speculation, fuelled by Kahn saying he would consider his international future in the coming weeks, that the 36-year-old might retire from Germany duty before the finals.
But Kahn said yesterday: "It's important for the national team, in spite of the difficult situation for me, that I should want to be at the World Cup."
Kennedy disappointed
Wolverhampton and Republic of Ireland midfielder Mark Kennedy believes the team have not been good enough this season. They are 10 points off the play-offs, a gap Kennedy deems as insurmountable.
He told the club's website: "It will take an unbelievable calamity for Preston or Palace not to make the play-offs and everyone in the dressing room is dejected.
"With the stadium and the support that a club like this has got we should be pushing to win the league but we're 38 points off Reading. That's not good enough."
Ronaldo injured
Real Madrid striker Ronaldo will be out of action for up to three weeks with a muscle tear in his right thigh, the Primera Liga club said yesterday. The Brazil international scored his 100th goal for the club against Real Sociedad on Saturday, before limping off early in the second half. The game ended in a 1-1 draw.
Being Real's leading scorer with 14 goals, Ronaldo will be sorely missed in the battle for second place in the league and direct qualification to the Champions League next season.
Hiddink for Russia
Guus Hiddink has announced he will be the next coach of the Russian national team. Hiddink, who will leave Eredivisie champions PSV Eindhoven at the end of the season and will coach Australia during the World Cup, made the announcement on TV programme Holland Sport.
"I'm glad that this is off my chest now," said Hiddink, who had been one of the early front-runners touted as a replacement for departing England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson.
"If all the final details in my private life are settled as planned the deal will be sealed.
"I have been to Russia already to look at things and I already know that it will be fun to work there. They have some young players with a great future, as far as I can tell now."
