'Poorly' Best is in hospital with pneumonia

George Best is in a Belfast hospital recovering from pneumonia.

His manager Phil Hughes said: "He is very, very poorly, but his condition is not life-threatening."

Best, 54, was admitted to Belfast City Hospital after developing a chest infection at his home near Portavogie, Co Down.

His wife Alex alerted a doctor but when there was no improvement Best was taken to the hospital on Friday.

He is in a private ward and visitors were being restricted to his immediate family and close friends.

Mr Hughes said: "It's the best possible place and I'd expect him to be there for at least a week. It's pneumonia, and definitely not alcohol related."

Last March the former Manchester United player was taken to hospital in London with liver problems and warned to stay off alcohol.

He moved to a new home in Northern Ireland in the middle of last year.

A hospital spokeswoman said he could not comment on Best's condition.