FORMER England boss Sir Bobby Robson has been left overjoyed after his England caps, stolen during a raid on his Ipswich home, were returned to him.Sir Bobby, now manager of Newcastle United, had been left distraught after discovering in February that 13 of his international caps had been taken during a break-in at his Ipswich home.

FORMER England boss Sir Bobby Robson has been left overjoyed after his England caps, stolen during a raid on his Ipswich home, were returned to him.

Sir Bobby, now manager of Newcastle United, had been left distraught after discovering in February that 13 of his international caps had been taken during a break-in at his Ipswich home.

However, the caps have now been returned to the 70-year-old following a secret operation that is said to have involved both the police and the Football Association.

"It's a great relief to have them back and I'd like to thank the police, the Football Association and the media for their help in recovering the caps, which are of special value to me and my family," Sir Bobby said.

The Town legend's home in north Ipswich was burgled more than two years ago, but only realised in February this year that 13 international caps were missing.

Sir Bobby said he had been left heartbroken by the break-in and could not sleep after discovering the caps had been taken.

"I am distraught. They are the most valuable things I won in my career and I am appealing to anyone who may know anything to get in contact with me," he said at the time.

"The England caps are the most precious items of my football career. They mean a lot to me and they are irreplaceable.

"When I found out about the theft, my head could not hit the pillow. I could not sleep for two days afterwards."

Sir Bobby played 20 times for England between 1958 and 1962, representing his country

three times in the 1958 World Cup in Sweden.

He had given one of the 14 caps to his brother for safe-keeping and had feared he might never see the remaining 13.

A spokesman for the FA said it was delighted that Sir Bobby's international caps had been returned to him.

No details of the operation that enabled Sir Bobby to be reunited with his prized mementoes have been released.

Newcastle United chairman Freddy Shepherd and vice-chairman Douglas Hall are understood to have pledged a £10,000 reward for information leading to the return of Sir Bobby's caps. It is not known whether the reward has been paid.