FORMER Hereford United and Wales striker John Charles has returned to England after more than a month recovering from vascular surgery in Milan.

Charles was transferred to Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield over the weekend to continue treatment following last month's emergency abdominal aortic aneurysm operation. A hospital spokesperson described his condition as "stable."

The 72-year-old was admitted to hospital in January after feeling unwell prior to a guest appearance on an Italian television programme. The former Leeds and Juventus star then suffered another health setback at the start of the month as he had to undergo further surgery following an aortic embolism, which resulted in part of his foot being amputated.

"The patient suffered an embolism, which had a serious effect on his right foot and thus needed the amputation of all his toes. His left foot only suffered minor damage," said Doctor Piergiorgio Settembrini, head of vascular surgery at the San Carlo hospital in Milan. The 'Gentle Giant' also suffers from Alzheimer's.