Northern Ireland football legend George Best may be released from intensive care today following a successful liver transplant, according to a spokesperson at Cromwell Hospital in London.
Best (56) was reportedly in a "very satisfactory condition" yesterday after undergoing an 11-hour-operation on Tuesday.
He is thought to be fully conscious and able to recognise family and staff. His wife Alex (29) said she was "massively relieved" at his improvement.
In a joint statement, a consultant surgeon at Cromwell Hospital, Mr Nigel Heaton, and a consultant physician, Prof Roger Williams, said the transplant procedure had been "difficult" and taken longer than usual. "Mr George Best's condition has improved steadily overnight and he is in a very satisfactory state at present," they added.
Mr Heaton said Best would have survived about three to 12 months without the liver transplant.
Last night, the hospital announced that Best had been taken off the ventilator. Prof Williams, said he was "overjoyed" with his patient's progress.
Mr Heaton said Best's progress depended on two factors. "One is any complication that could arise from the drugs that he will have to take for the rest of his life. The other is his commitment to staying tee-total for the rest of his life, as transplanted livers seem to be particularly sensitive to alcohol."