FOOTBALL legend Sir Bobby Robson has vowed to carry on as normal, despite contracting cancer for the fifth time.

The former England and Newcastle United manager has started a six-week chemotherapy course after cancerous nodules were found in his lungs.

However, the 74-year-old remains undeterred, and on Saturday was at St James' Park to watch the Magpies lose to Blackburn Rovers 2-0.

Sir Bobby, the son of a County Durham miner, has already undergone cancer treatment four times.

Most recently, he had an operation to remove a tumour the size of a grape from his brain after he fell ill watching another of his former clubs, Ipswich.

Sir Bobby said: "Of course, it's not the greatest news I've ever had, but I have fought hard throughout my life and I will continue to fight.

"I will battle as I've always done.

"My last operation in August was a success, but this time the doctors have said they can't operate.

"The good news is that they are measuring the nodules in my lungs in millimetres rather than centimetres. That is encouraging, and we are hopeful the treatment will keep it under control.

"I've been advised to keep busy and active, and that's what I will be trying to do whenever possible."

In February 2006, a tumour was found on his lung following a skiing accident.

He has also successfully overcome bowel cancer, in 1992, and mouth cancer, in 1995.

Sir Bobby said he still planned to attend his annual charity golf day in Portugal, and will celebrate his wedding anniversary next month with his wife Elsie and his sons Paul, Mark and Andrew, and four grandchildren.

Sir Bobby was born in Sacriston and grew up in nearby Langley Park.

During his football career, he won 20 England caps and played in the 1958 and 1962 World Cups. As national manager, he took the team to the 1990 World Cup semi-finals, but went out to West Germany on penalties.

He took over as manager of Newcastle United in 1999, which he described as his dream job. But in August 2004, he was controversially sacked after a perceived poor start to the season.

Most recently, he has been acting as an advisor to the Republic of Ireland national team.

Recently, when asked why he was still passionately involved in the game, he said: "My wife wants me to go to Tesco's on Saturdays, but I just couldn't. I need the drug."