Republic of Ireland manager Steve Staunton is to visit Bobby Robson tomorrow to assess whether he will be fit to take up his duties against Holland next week.
Ireland's international advisor complained of feeling unwell 10 minutes into Saturday's Championship clash between Ipswich and Crystal Palace. The 73-year-old had earlier been paraded in front of the crowd at Portman Road after being named honorary club president following his many years of service.
After being taken to Ipswich Hospital, where he spent the next two nights after undergoing a series of routine tests, the former England manager was released yesterday.
However, it appears doubtful Robson will be on hand next Wednesday when Ireland face the Dutch in a friendly at Lansdowne Road.
"I've spoken to him, but he wasn't giving too much away, so I'm going to visit him tomorrow," confirmed Staunton. "I know he is going to see a specialist today and again tomorrow, although it's too early to say whether he will be coming in for the game next week.
"From what I gather from his wife and secretary he is supposed to take things easy - but he can't!"
Robson missed out on Ireland's end-of-season training camp in the Algarve in May after recovering from having a cancerous tumour removed from his lung earlier that month.
Although that was Robson's third cancer scare - having beaten the illness twice before in 1992 and 1995 - he did take his place in the stands for the 1-0 friendly defeat to Chile that followed.
Robson, also a former manager at Newcastle, will at least be delighted to see four Magpies players in Staunton's 24-man squad to take on the Dutch.
The most prominent of those is Stephen Carr, who has ended his 10-month exile after retiring from international football last October following the Republic's failure to qualify for the World Cup finals.
The full-back, who celebrates his 30th birthday at the end of the month, has been tempted back by Staunton who said: "I'm delighted to have the opportunity to name Stephen in my squad.
"He has vast experience on the international scene and it's great to see him back. I feel he still has something to offer while playing for his country."
Carr is joined by fellow Newcastle stars Shay Given and Damien Duff, the latter moving to St James' Park in a £5million move from Chelsea a fortnight ago.
Also included for the first time in Staunton's squad is 21-year-old midfielder Alan O'Brien from Dublin, who has made five substitute appearances for Newcastle this year.
The clash with Holland is Staunton's last warm-up match before he finalises plans for the European Championship qualifying campaign, with the Republic starting against Germany in Stuttgart on September 2nd.
Staunton, though, will be without the long-serving Gary Breen as the defender has opted to concentrate on his club commitments following his recent move over the summer from Sunderland to Wolves.
The 32-year-old, who made his Republic debut against Croatia 10 years ago, scored seven goals in 63 appearances.
The Football Association of Ireland, meanwhile, have agreed a two-year, six-figure sponsorship deal with Oceanico Developments. Oceanico will serve as the official leisure facilities supplier to the FAI, in particular with their luxury four and five-star resorts in the Algarve.
Staunton, whose squad used the facilities in May, added: "Relocating the team to the warmer, sunnier climate proved a great opportunity for intensive tactical training. It helped to keep the squad focused and in the best possible condition.
"Now, the FAI will have access to these same facilities when we need them most, giving the team another tool to help prepare for the qualifying matches ahead of Euro 2008."
Republic of Ireland squad: Shay Given, Paddy Kenny, Wayne Henderson, Andy O'Brien, Richard Dunne, John O'Shea, Ian Harte, Steve Finnan, Stephen Carr, Stephen Kelly, Liam Miller, Steven Reid, Graham Kavanagh, Kevin Kilbane, Alan O'Brien, Aiden McGeady, Terry Dixon, Damien Duff, Kevin Doyle, Clinton Morrison, Alan Lee, Stephen Elliott, Robbie Keane
