SIR Bobby Robson was expected to be released from hospital today after being taken ill at Ipswich Town's match on Saturday.The 73-year-old, who has had successful surgery for colon cancer and a malignant melanoma on his face in the past, is believed to have suffered a minor stroke.

SIR Bobby Robson was expected to be released from hospital today after being taken ill at Ipswich Town's match on Saturday.

The 73-year-old, who has had successful surgery for colon cancer and a malignant melanoma on his face in the past, is believed to have suffered a minor stroke.

The former Ipswich Town and England boss was taken to Ipswich Hospital after complaining of feeling unwell 10 minutes into the game against Crystal Palace. Earlier, he had been presented to the Portman Road crowd after being named as honorary club president.

Sir Bobby was immediately seen to by club doctors in the boardroom before being taken to a nearby hospital by Huw Davies, his cancer specialist, who had been a guest of the football legend at the game.

Dr Gerry Rayman, clinical director for medicine at Ipswich Hospital, spoke to the press yesterday after treating Sir Bobby.

He said: “I'm very pleased to tell you that Sir Bobby Robson is felling very well this morning. He has had a good night's sleep and has had a good breakfast. After we've completed our investigations, we will be letting him go home.”

Doctors continued to carry out tests on Sir Bobby throughout yesterday and it was understood he was likely to be released at some point today.

The latest health scare comes just three months after a cancerous tumour was removed from Sir Bobby's lung in May. It has been discovered during a routine x-ray following a skiing accident.

That was the third time he has suffered a cancer scare, having beaten the disease in 1992 and 1995.

Ipswich manager Jim Magilton, who was taking charge of his first game, was shocked by the news of Sir Bobby's illness.

“There was no prouder man in the stadium today than me, knowing that Sir Bobby was in the stand,” he said after the match.

“When a man of his stature is rushed into hospital then the results doesn't matter. As long as he's okay, we'll be okay.”

Town chairman David Sheepshanks said: “Sir Bobby was having a lovely day and received a fantastic reception from the crowd, which I know he enjoyed immensely.

“He was very moved by that and we walked back to the boardroom and collected a programme before going to our seats and he seemed fine.

“Suddenly he didn't feel quite right. His surgeon Huw Davies was with him and he suggested we went back to the boardroom and the doctors were summoned.

“He had a check-up and it was decided to take him to hospital as a precaution.

“We are thrilled to have Sir Bobby back at the club again in his special role as president, so it was a sad end to the day in that respect.

“All our prayers are with him and hope that he makes a full recovery very quickly.”

Sir Bobby managed Ipswich between 1969 and 1982, winning the FA Cup in 1978 the UEFA Cup in 1981. He went on to manage England, PSV Eindhoven, Sporting Lisbon, FC Porto, Barcelona and Newcastle. He currently works as an adviser for the Republic of Ireland.