By Matthew Jones
July 11 2002

Sir Bobby Robson says he expects defender Titus Bramble's £6million transfer from Ipswich to be completed this weekend. Bramble's switch to Tyneside was delayed because the medical staff wanted to be certain that the Under-21 international had fully recovered from summer surgery on his heel. Sir Bobby Robson says he expects defender Titus Bramble's £6million transfer from Ipswich to be completed this weekend.

Bramble's switch to Tyneside was delayed because The Magpies' medical staff wanted to be 100 per cent certain that the England Under-21 international had fully recovered from summer surgery on his heel.

A deal was agreed between the two clubs two weeks ago, and Bramble agreed personal terms on the move last week.

He has been working on building up his fitness ever since, and Robson is confident the protracted transfer will be finally be concluded this weekend.

He said: "We feel that by the end of the week we can make a decision about Bramble's injury. He has had an operation, a piece of bone removed from his ankle and it's causing a bit of a problem at the moment.

"But it's not that serious and we think by the end of the week we will be in a position to do the deal - I'm very optimistic."

The Magpies chief is desperate to strengthen his defence following the departure of Sylvain Distin to Manchester City, and believes Bramble has "the potential to be a colossus".

If the deal does goes through, Bramble will be playing Premiership and Champions League football - instead of Nationwide - and Robson added: "He's a very strong boy, he's very quick and is good in the air.

"We've picked up a fine young player who has a chance of being a big centre-back for us."

Ipswich will receive an initial £5million for a player who they developed through their youth system, with add-ons for appearances and senior international caps worth an extra £1million. Town are also likely to insist on a sell-on clause.