Clemence fighting prostate cancer

Clemence has coached England's goalkeepers since 1996

England's senior goalkeeping coach Ray Clemence has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

The ex-Liverpool and Tottenham keeper will miss England's training sessions next week before their friendly against Holland while he undergoes treatment.

Clemence, 56, said: "The news I have had from the doctors so far has been very positive and encouraging.

"I'm looking forward to getting the treatment out of the way and returning to work as soon as possible."

As a player, Clemence won 61 England caps as well as three European Cups, two Uefa Cups, five League titles, one FA Cup and one League Cup with Liverpool.

He joined Tottenham in 1981 and played in two more FA Cup finals, winning one, before retiring through injury aged 39 in October 1987.

Clemence immediately joined Spurs' coaching staff and held various positions at White Hart Lane before taking charge of Barnet in 1994.

RAY CLEMENCE FACTFILE 1948: born in Skegness 1967: Joins Liverpool from Scunthorpe 1972: Makes England debut 1980: Wins fifth League title 1981: Wins third European Cup 1981: Joins Tottenham 1987: Retires aged 39 1994: Appointed Barnet manager 1996: Joins England set-up

Glenn Hoddle introduced him to the England set-up in 1996 and he has been the national team's senior goalkeeping coach for the past six years.

England Under-21s goalkeeping coach Martin Thomas will work with the senior squad in his absence, while FA youth coach Tony Parks will coach the under-21 side's goalkeepers during that time.

England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson said: "Everyone wishes Ray a speedy recovery. His enthusiasm and expertise are very important for England at every level."

Clemence is the second member of Eriksson's backroom staff to be diagnosed with prostate cancer in the past year.

Former Manchester United assistant boss Brian Kidd withdrew from England's coaching team for the Euro 2004 finals to receive treatment.