23/08/2002

Best doing well after fresh health scare

Northern Ireland football legend George Best has undergone further treatment in hospital to prevent the spread of infection following his life-saving liver transplant.

He was readmitted to the Cromwell Hospital in London with a complication related to a local infection.

Speaking on Friday, the hospital's consultant physician, Professor Roger Williams, confirmed the former Manchester United and Northern Ireland star had been treated for a "little leak" of bile.

Professor Williams said the condition was a well-recognised complication with liver transplants.

"It's one of the things that has to be dealt with if it develops. Its happened and now it's controlled. I saw him last night and he is in good spirits and feeling better - no pain. "Liver operations do have technical complications in the first month. If you don't have any then you're extremely lucky but usually patients have some technical problems.

Best, aged 56, is now said to be doing well, but is expected to stay in the hospital for a number of days.

(GB)

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