The tumour was bigger than a golf ball

The 73-year-old has recently had a successful operation to remove a cancerous tumour from his lung.

It was spotted when he had an x-ray following a skiing accident.

Sir Bobby, who is an adviser to Republic of Ireland coach Steve Staunton, has said he will be fit for their game against Chile on 24 May.

He said: "Somebody up there likes me. Because I found out through a skiing accident, where I damaged my ribs badly with a fall.

'Good health'

"I had to have an x-ray because I was sure I had broken or cracked some ribs. Very quickly through that x-ray they told me there was a shadow in my lung.

"It was a tumour and it was a melanoma and it was malignant. It was a shock."

Sir Bobby, who has beaten cancer twice already, in 1992 and 1995, spent six days in hospital and was told the tumour was bigger than a golf ball.

He said: "I would like to thank the Newcastle fans who I loved and I spent five great years with them, thank them for their concern and their interest but assure them that I am well and happy.

"That I have undergone a serious operation, I have come through it well. It's over. I am in extremely good health and I have got a clean bill of health."