Bobby Robson will today undergo surgery to remove a brain tumour.

The 73-year-old was taken ill while watching Ipswich Town two weeks ago, and was suspected to have suffered a stroke.

Extensive tests carried out since have revealed a tumour the size of a grape, and he expected to make a full recovery following the operation.

Robson has already battled cancer three times, and earlier this year had a tumour the size of a golf ball removed from a lung.

He underwent surgery for bowel cancer in 1992 and a rare skin cancer behind his eye in 1995.

He is currently acting as 'international football consultant' to Republic of Ireland manager Steve Staunton.

Announcing he was to have surgery, he said at the weekend: "I had a scan to assess why I felt unwell and had to leave the game at Ipswich early, and the doctors discovered a small, operable tumour that caused an affliction on the left side of my face.

"On Wednesday I will have an operation to remove the tumour and, as surgeons tell me the rest of my body is clean, I should be able to make a full recovery."

The County Durham-born former Newcastle United boss added: "Having successfully fought cancer three times, I am confident of getting through this as well."

A spokeswoman for Robson said the earliest update about his operation would be made tomorrow afternoon.

She would not reveal where he would have the operation.

In April his lung tumour was removed during a three-hour operation at Newcastle's Freeman Hospital, and he was allowed to return to his home near Chester-le-Street, Co Durham, after five days' rest.

Robson will not be available to travel with the Ireland team for their match against Germany in Stuttgart on September 2nd.