George Best 'feeling better'

Former Manchester United star George Best is “feeling better” but will be in intensive care for several more days, his agent said today.

Phil Hughes said Best’s condition had improved overnight but not enough for doctors at the Cromwell Hospital in west London to move him to a general ward.

“He’s a lot better this morning, he’s talking a lot more,” he said.

“He’s still going to be there in intensive care for at least another two days. It could be four or five days.”

Best was admitted to the private hospital suffering flu-like symptoms last week, and developed a serious kidney infection over the weekend.

His current problems are thought to be related to immuno-suppressant drugs he has been taking since his lifesaving liver transplant operation in 2002 rather than alcohol abuse.

Mr Hughes said he had been in to see the 59-year-old this morning and was “far happier” with his condition.

Best had declared himself hungry and asked for fruit salad, according to Mr Hughes.

“He’s not allowed a lot of visitors, and he feels very poorly.

“He wants to get out of the intensive care unit.”

Mr Hughes said doctors had hoped to move the Northern Irishman to a general ward today but his progress had not been good enough.

The former European Footballer of the Year has been taking antibiotics to combat the kidney infection.

Mr Hughes said Best had been “off the drink” prior to being admitted to the hospital.

“He’s been on and off the drink for a long time. It’s only reported when he’s on it.

“He doesn’t want to be an alcoholic.”

Best has asked for thanks to be passed on to all his supporters.

“He wants to thank everybody who has sent him well wishes. He’s grateful for the support and understands the criticism,” Hughes added.

Professor Roger Williams, the doctor in charge of Best’s care, said today that he hoped the former Northern Ireland international could beat his drinking problems.

“He can do it – he did it before, get off the alcohol. He has had long spells when he does not drink,” he told GMTV.

“He is a very nice person and never complains. He is a very good patient and I have been his doctor for a good long time. Everybody is different, everybody has problems.”

Best, whose transplant operation was paid for privately using a liver supplied through the NHS, is expected to spend at least a week at the hospital after being moved from the intensive care unit.

Apart from Mr Hughes, Best’s son Calum has visited him, and his sister Barbara is travelling from the North to see him later today.

The Belfast-born star’s former wife Alex is not thought to have visited, although she has reportedly spoken to him on the phone and sent her best wishes