Former Manchester United soccer great George Best is beginning to wake up after spending five days heavily sedated and seriously ill, his agent told said today.
Phil Hughes said Best was continuing to improve and that the doctors were pleased with the Belfast-born player's progress. "He certainly hasn't deteriorated any more and there is some slight improvement," Hughes said.
"The doctors are pleased. They're starting to take the steps to wake him up and hopefully he won't be too uncomfortable when he does come round." The 1968 European Footballer of the Year has had an alcohol problem for much of his adult life and underwent a liver transplant in 2002 after years of heavy drinking.
He was admitted to intensive care on October 2nd and became seriously ill on Wednesday, prompting Hughes to describe him then as being close to death.
On Thursday, Best's doctors said the former player was suffering from internal bleeding linked to a bowel infection but his condition has since improved following a change in medication.
PA