Having learned of Robb's condition, Leonard attempted to contact the determined father-of-two through Robb's ex-trainer, Laurie Redfern, at Inverness Boxing Club.
Hegarty, who also had brief spells in charge at Aberdeen and Dundee United, will be introduced to his new position in next month's friendly in Japan, a match Butcher will not attend as he has club commitments with Inverness.