Football Association of Ireland chief executive John Delaney has not ruled out Bobby Robson's continued long-term involvement with the Republic of Ireland.
Robson underwent surgery eight days ago to remove a small brain tumour, described by the former England manager as "the size of a grape." However, Ireland's international football consultant, and manager Steve Staunton's right-hand man, has suffered minor complications.
A statement issued on behalf of Robson read: "Sir Bobby continues to make good progress after major surgery, which involved complete re-section of a tumour from the motor cortex part of his brain. Thankfully, he does not require any follow-up chemotherapy or radiation treatment.
"He is in good spirits and talking about his recovery. He is out of bed, reading the papers, watching television and listening to the radio to keep up to date with all the latest football news. But he has a slight swelling to his brain which is causing a temporary loss of movement in part of his left leg and left arm.
"This is being treated with physiotherapy, so he will therefore remain in hospital for the time being."
Robson continues to liaise with Staunton, but due to illness the 73-year-old has been unable to play an active part in recent months. Robson missed a training camp in Portugal at the end of May ahead of a 1-0 friendly defeat to Chile at Lansdowne Road, although was able to attend the match.
After being taken ill at former club Ipswich at the start of the season, ultimately leading to the diagnosis of the tumour, Robson was also unavailable for the 4-0 thrashing by Holland a fortnight ago.
With surgery so recent, it was always understood Robson was never going to be on hand for Ireland's opening European Championship qualifier against Germany in Stuttgart on Saturday.
Robson had previously expressed his hope of travelling to Cyprus for the next game in Group D in early October, but that is now in doubt.
Delaney is not discounting any possibility at this stage as he said: "It's a question of waiting for the medical advice to see how it works out going forward.
"The setback he has had is news to us today, but he's up, bright, watching football and reading newspapers, so he is engaging. It's important to say the operation was a success. From what we understand, what has happened is an effect of that and he just needs time to get over it.
"At this stage my immediate thoughts are to make sure he is okay. He has been a wonderful servant for football in eneral, as we all know. You hate the thought of anybody who is as enthusiastic and who wants to be part of what we are doing, having a setback of this nature.
"I'm not going to put a time limit on it. It wouldn't be fair on anybody, so we'll see what the medical advice for him will be and we'll assess it from there. But his long-term position with us is not in doubt, certainly not at this stage."
Delaney and Staunton both plan to visit Robson on their return from Germany early next week. Before then, there remains the prospect Staunton will discuss plans for the game with Robson to ensure his spirits remain high.
"Steve and Bobby have been talking all the time, so I don't think it's a problem," added Delaney. "I'm sure Steven will have questions to put to Bobby about Germany, as he did prior to the Dutch game. But for now, it's more important he returns 100 per cent fit, and we get on with Saturday."
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/YVIRIOZQ35EWRPZXR27KGMO6YU.png)