Soccer Shorts

Robson's 'shock' departure: West Bromwich Albion will today launch a search for a new manager after parting company with Bryan Robson, the first managerial casualty of the top two divisions, only nine games into the season, writes Stuart James. Alan Curbishley is among the front-runners although the Albion chairman, Jeremy Peace, is also thought to be considering a number of up-and-coming managers such as Southend's Steve Tilson, Luton's Mike Newell, Burnley's Steve Cotterill and Tony Mowbray at Hibernian.

Robson had no inkling he was about to lose his job until he reported for work yesterday morning. There had been calls for his dismissal at the end of Saturday's 1-1 home draw with Southend, although few expected that the Albion board would act with such alacrity. A statement released yesterday said Robson, who was on a 12-month rolling contract, had left "by mutual consent". Peace added that "it has been decided that a change is necessary if the club is to achieve its aims for this season and beyond".

Those ambitions centre on winning promotion back to the Premiership following relegation last season and although Albion, in ninth place and only five points off the top of the table, are still well positioned to achieve that objective, many of the performances have been unconvincing. The club's search for a director of football had sparked doubts about Robson's future and it is understood that Peace's faith in the former Middlesbrough manager's decision-making had started to erode some time ago.

Nevertheless, the news that Robson was leaving The Hawthorns after 22 months in charge came as a shock to many, including the assistant manager Nigel Pearson, who will be in charge for the English League Cup match against Cheltenham tonight. Pearson said the decision had "come out of the blue" and had left many of the players "subdued and disappointed" when Robson gave a farewell talk yesterday. He described Robson's tone as "disappointed and upset". ... Guardian Service

Giggs' injury played down

Alex Ferguson has played down fears Ryan Giggs is facing yet more long-term hamstring trouble. The veteran Welshman is set to miss at least another three weeks after pulling up injured in Manchester United's Champions League win over Celtic last weekend.

Having started the season in such fine form, Giggs' presence was badly missed in Sunday's home defeat by Arsenal. Given the 32-year-old's past hamstring problems, which he now uses regular yoga sessions to combat, it is no surprise worries have been expressed about his long-term fitness.

However, manager Ferguson has been quick to play down those concerns. "It is the first time Ryan has ever suffered a hamstring injury in his right leg, so we are hoping it won't take too long to heal," Ferguson said.

Good news for Owen

England striker Michael Owen has been assured his knee operation will not end his career. Owen, who had the cruciate ligament operation performed in America, revealed how he was given the good news as soon as he came round at the clinic in Denver.

"When I came round after my cruciate ligament operation the surgeon was standing by my bedside."'Whatever makes you retire from football it won't be your knee,' he told me straight away. "Coming from a man as respected as Dr Richard Steadman that was the perfect way to wake up. "Perhaps it was walking into his office and seeing all the signed shirts and thank-you letters from dozens of grateful sportsmen, including plenty of familiar names, Alan Shearer, Henrik Larsson, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Craig Bellamy."