Iconic footballer George Best is in intensive care in Liverpool.
The Manchester United legend is believed to be suffering from a kidney infection.
Agent Phil Hughes has suggested that the problem has been caused by a reaction to the drugs that have kept his client from returning to alcoholism.
The Northern Ireland international has been battling for years with being an alcoholic, and underwent a liver transplant in 2002.
After making his debut in 1963 for Manchester United, Best was soon hailed as the greatest player of his generation and dubbed the 'fifth Beatle' as he became a world-wide celebrity.
Named as European Footballer of the Year in 1968, Best finally left his beloved United in 1974 when he failed to turn up for training under then-manager Tommy Docherty.
Best kept in the game and has worked for Sky Sports as a popular pundit on Soccer Saturday, as well as a frequent visitor to Portsmouth games with his friend Milan Mandaric.
"He is serious but improving," commented professor Roger Williams from Cromwell Hospital.
"The infection has caused him to be severely ill but he is certainly responding to treatment and we hope to move him out of intensive care in the next 24 hours."
The Manchester United legend is believed to be suffering from a kidney infection.
Agent Phil Hughes has suggested that the problem has been caused by a reaction to the drugs that have kept his client from returning to alcoholism.
The Northern Ireland international has been battling for years with being an alcoholic, and underwent a liver transplant in 2002.
After making his debut in 1963 for Manchester United, Best was soon hailed as the greatest player of his generation and dubbed the 'fifth Beatle' as he became a world-wide celebrity.
Named as European Footballer of the Year in 1968, Best finally left his beloved United in 1974 when he failed to turn up for training under then-manager Tommy Docherty.
Best kept in the game and has worked for Sky Sports as a popular pundit on Soccer Saturday, as well as a frequent visitor to Portsmouth games with his friend Milan Mandaric.
"He is serious but improving," commented professor Roger Williams from Cromwell Hospital.
"The infection has caused him to be severely ill but he is certainly responding to treatment and we hope to move him out of intensive care in the next 24 hours."