SIR BOBBY ROBSON may be the Methuselah of British football, but he will always be young at heart.

Proof of that has been provided by the Newcastle manager's imaginative summer transfer dealings.

Robson has set out to fashion a side for the future, one which, he freely admits, might not fully mature until after he shuffles off this mortal coil.

But Robson, who becomes a septuagenarian in just six months' time, lives for the moment.

It's an attitude born of a life-threatening brush with cancer seven years ago, when he underwent surgery to remove a malignant tumour from behind his eye.

Robson was advised to retire, but later said: "There are endless pressures, endless headaches and endless heartaches in football, but I just think it's wonderful to be living, wonderful to be in the game.''

Such enthusiasm is almost unique, but there can be little doubt that managing his much-loved Newcastle for the past three years has helped to maintain his appetite.

Robson intends calling the shots at St. James' Park for up to two more years.

By then, he should know whether the £13.5m he has invested this close season in new, young talent has been money well spent.

Robson has staked his reputation as a judge of players on the signings of Portuguese midfield prodigy Hugo Viana and England Under-21 centre-back Titus Bramble.

While 19-year-old Viana, an £8.5m capture from Robson's old club Sporting Lisbon, has impressed during the pre-season campaign, Bramble - two years his senior - is still struggling to adjust.

The former Ipswich man endured a baptism of fire on his home debut against Barcelona at the hands of Dutch super striker Patrick Kluivert.

A close-season heel operation may have undermined Bramble's fitness, form and confidence, but the Toon Army, as well as Robson, will be hoping he quickly eradicates the errors that proved so costly against Barca.

Robson is confident that the powerfully-built Bramble will ultimately punch his weight against the Premiership's big hitters.

Viana's abundant ability on the ball and eye for a pass, belie his tender years.

Owing to Laurent Robert's shock injury - the Frenchman has a stress fracture of the back - Viana has been pressed into a left-wing role, where he has acquitted himself well according to consensus.

But his tendency to drift inside betrays his preference for a central position and that is undoubtedly where Newcastle fans will see the best of him.

Like Wales striker Craig Bellamy, who proved a major success in his first season with United following a £6m move from Coventry last summer, and England Under-21 midfielder Jermaine Jenas, signed from Nottingham Forest in February for £5m, Viana and Bramble are youngsters Robson hopes will achieve lasting greatness on Tyneside.

In the former England boss, they could scarcely have a better tutor.

With Bellamy still recovering from knee surgery, Robert injured and lingering doubts about the fitness of key midfielder Kieron Dyer, patience should be the watchword.

But with glory-hungry fans whipping themselves into a frenzied state as their heroes stand on the brink of a return to the Champions' League, expectations are sky-high - and probably unrealistically so.

Only time will tell whether Sir Bobby's babes fulfil the prophecies of their sage-like manager.

Read more about Newcastle United FC here.