NEWCASTLE United legend Bob Moncur hopes to be back at work tomorrow - days after undergoing an operation for cancer.

The former captain of Newcastle United and Scotland has had surgery to remove a tumour this week after being diagnosed with cancer of the colon.

But Mr Moncur said he would carry on as normal and hopes he will be back at work tomorrow covering United's game against Everton for radio.

From his home in Gateshead, he said: "As far as my life is concerned, it will be business as usual starting with the home game against Everton on Sunday."

Mr Moncur, 62, was diagnosed with the tumour early last month.

He had the operation to remove the tumour in his colon at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, in Gateshead, this week.

Perth-born Mr Moncur must now wait to find out the results of further tests to see what treatment is required.

He said: "Despite this, life goes on for me and I am going to continue to work as normal.

"I want to give my sincere thanks to Mark Katory and his team for the magnificent attention during my stay at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital last week, and of course to my family for their invaluable support during this difficult time.

"Now I have to wait for the test results and I'll see where I go from there, but I know that I am not out of the woods yet.

"People should not be surprised to see me at work as usual, but I may be walking a little slower than normal."

Mr Moncur guided Newcastle United to victory in the 1969 Inter City Fairs Cup Final against Hungarian club Ujpest Dosza and was described by then manager Joe Harvey as "the supreme sweeper and most valuable asset to Newcastle and Scotland".

In that tie, Mr Mocur netted three goals over two legs to deliver silverware to Tyneside and made 358 appearances for United. His last was in the 1974 FA Cup final against Liverpool before he signed for Sunderland and skippered them to promotion in 1976.

He went on to manage Carlisle, Hearts, Plymouth Argyle and Hartlepool and has done extensive work for TV and radio.

Former Newcastle and Hartlepool striker Joe Allon said: "Bob has always been a winner and I expect him to get through this as well."

Mr Allon, who is on the coaching staff at Leeds United, said: "I have always kept in touch with Bob on a social and professional basis. He will battle through this and myself and all of the lads at Leeds, including Dennis Wise, Gus Poyet and all the players are behind him."

Pete Graves, co-commentator at Century Radio Newcastle, said: "It was a blow that Bob had to go to hospital but it's a measure of the man that he is back to work so soon.

"Just like he won battles on the pitch as a player, he has won battles off it as a man, and this is no different."