Capello hails Sir Bobby bravery

England manager Fabio Capello has paid tribute to the courage of former national team boss Sir Bobby Robson who has raised more than £1.2million for cancer research while battling the disease for a fifth time.

The pair will meet at the launch of the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Research Trials Centre in Newcastle on Friday, where Capello will hand over a £75,000 cheque on behalf of the Football Association in aid of the 76-year-old's foundation, which Robson has enthusiastically driven on despite being diagnosed with cancer.

The current England coach said: "Sir Bobby Robson is a football legend not just in England but around the world. I have known him for many years from when we both managed in Spain and I am very pleased that the FA is backing The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation."

He added: "Sir Bobby is a very courageous man and it is an honour to be able to present him with a donation which will help his foundation's important work."

When Sir Bobby received his latest cancer diagnosis in March last year, he set about raising £500,000 to equip a cancer unit after his oncologist spurred him on.

The target was reached in just seven weeks, and the total now stands at more than £1.2million, a figure which has touched football's favourite knight.

He announced that £300,000 of that will be spent on two research posts, funding a doctor and a nurse, at the centre in the Freeman Hospital.

Sir Bobby said: "I'm very grateful to the FA for its extremely generous support and to Fabio for delivering the donation in person.

"I know from experience that he has a very demanding job and for him to take the time to visit us personally speaks volumes about his character.

"This is a particularly proud day for everyone involved in The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation."