MARK Cooper is hoping his dad, former England full-back Terry, will be back on the training ground running an eye over his Swindon Town squad soon.

Terry has been recovering from a bowel cancer operation and was in intensive care at a hospital in Tenerife, where he now lives.

The Swindon boss spent some time during the last international break at his father’s hospital bedside whilst he was in a critical condition.

Thankfully, Cooper senior is now doing better, though he is not yet back to full health. Previously, he has been a regular down at Liddington, offering his own management experience to his son, and the County Ground chief is hoping his dad will be back there with him before long.

“He’s pleased that the boys are doing well and hopefully he’ll be back over watching them on the training ground soon,” said Town boss Mark.

“It was touch and go for a while. He’s still got to have some chemotherapy but that’s precautionary. He’s back at home now and still very weak. It’s a long way to go but, fingers crossed, he’s going the right way.”

After his side’s victory over his dad’s former club Bristol City, the Robins boss called his father to give him the good news. Despite Terry’s close ties to the Ashton Gate club, he was delighted for his son.

“He was Bristol City manager when they rose from the ashes, so it’s a club that’s close to his heart. On Saturday, he wanted me to win and we did, so he was pleased that his son had got three points. That wouldn’t take away his affection for Bristol City,” explained the Town boss.

Understandbly, Mark had not talked about his dad’s condition publicly, but when asked, he confirmed he has been comforted by the knowledge his dad has family around him, which allows Cooper junior to focus on his job at the County Ground.

“I’ve been all right,” he added “My family over in Spain have looked after that, so that’s not been a problem. As long as I know he’s okay and not in immediate danger, then I can fully focus on the job.”