Soccer: Best 'feeling better' says anxious wife

George Best's wife is back at the couple's home in Northern Ireland pleading for her husband to quit drinking.

Alex Best has returned from London to their house near the village of Portavogie, Co Down.

The plea comes as Professor Roger Williams, the liver specialist, states he hopes to persuade Best back to London for further treatment.

"He realises now he cannot go on like this," Mrs Best said. "He knows people are desperately worried and I just hope he is going to stop."

She said: "He seems fine. He feels a lot better today. He had an early night, but is still in bed."

Earlier the professor, who has been treating the football hero, spoke of his fears for Best following the latest drinking lapse.

Prof Williams began treating the 54-year-old former Manchester United star last year and warned him at the time that even one glass of wine could finish him off.

"We do know in the last week or so that he has had some lapses," he said.

"I spoke to him in the middle of last week and he was very clear - so it is not every day as some of the newspapers have been saying.

"It is worrying and I am hoping that we will get him back to London and grapple with him again."

He added that Best was well aware of the consequences of his actions.