Sir Bobby Robson approves of Steve McClaren's bid to appoint Terry Venables as an adviser on his England backroom team.

McClaren has apparently identified the former England boss as the man he would like to work alongside him when he takes over the national team after the World Cup.

Robson, a predecessor to Venables as England manager, has for the last four months been working as international football consultant with the Republic of Ireland, helping the comparatively inexperienced Steve Staunton to settle into his role as coach.

The 73-year-old, recovering from surgery to remove a malignant melanoma from his lung, said: ''It's up to them what they want to do, but it can work.

''As for myself and Stan, we both talk to the players, and I have to say (coach) Kevin MacDonald is also good. He speaks very well to them. He is not afraid.

''What we don't want to do is confuse them. It's no good me saying one thing, Stan another and Kevin something else.

''The three of us need to pool our thoughts so we sing off the same hymn sheet and we say the same things to the players.

''So if I think the right-back should attack more than he is doing in a game, then I want Stan to say 'yes, do what Bobby is saying'.

''It's about spending more time together. It's very important before a match, again at half-time and full-time, the three of us get together so we know what salient points to make, and we will do that.

''I'm not saying we're at cross purposes now. We've not said anything to the players that might confuse, but we just need more time.

''Certainly at half-time last night (in a 1-0 defeat to Chile) we were in agreement when it came to what we were telling the players.''

Although not at Staunton's side as much as he would like to have been in recent weeks, Robson is looking for that to change after the summer.

''Stan knows he is inexperienced,'' he said. ''Up until a few months ago he had never prepared international teams, never given team talks, never given press conferences at this level.

''But he will learn and gain experience. In the meantime, I hope to be around him so much that I get him through and help him.''

Before then, Staunton and Robson head to Germany for the World Cup, primarily to watch the hosts who are Ireland's opening opponents when the European Championship qualifying campaign starts on September 2.

''I'm going to watch one or two matches involving Germany and the Czech Republic (also in Ireland's group),'' confirmed Robson.

''I've been told Germany are not as good as what we have seen of them in previous years. I'll wait to see that myself.

''As for the Czechs, they have been very strong in European football for the last ten years.

''England have a good team with good players, but the two main dangers for me are Argentina and Brazil.

''Whatever happens, it's going to be a great tournament.''

l Republic of Ireland defender Ian Harte is desperate to end his unhappy Spanish adventure and return to England. Harte has been told he can quit Levante at the end of their season in four weeks.