[Omah]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...=feeds-newsxml

Trevor Francis, Britain's first £1million footballer, was in a Solihull hospital on Friday night recovering from a heart attack.

The former Birmingham City and England legend felt severe chest pains while in his apartment near the town centre on Friday afternoon.

He immediately underwent surgery and has had a coronary stent fitted. His wife, Helen, and son James were by his bedside. His other son, Matthew, who lives in Spain, has been kept abreast of developments.

'Everybody at Birmingham City FC would like to send our best wishes to club legend Trevor Francis following news that he is recovering in hospital from a suspected heart attack,' a club statement read.

'The former Blues striker and manager is much loved by everybody associated with the club and we'd like to wish Trevor a speedy recovery.'

Francis, 57, remains fit and active and takes pride in the fact that he still works out at a gym near his home several times per week.

While this news comes as an undoubted shock, his family are expecting him home after the weekend.

A friend of the family said: 'Helen and James are with Trevor.

'Exact details are unknown but the medics felt sufficiently comfortable to operate. He is in recovery. He is expected home after the weekend.'

Francis was the original boy wonder of English football, scoring four goals on his full debut for Birmingham City in 1970, aged just 16.

He was eventually transferred by Jim Smith for a seven-figure sum to Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest.

Within four months of arriving at the City Ground, he headed the only goal during the club's 1-0 victory over Malmo in the European Cup final.

He went on to score 12 goals in 52 appearances before retiring and managing Sheffield Wednesday and QPR among other clubs.

However, his name is synonymous with Birmingham City and he remains a significant figure at the club having managed them for five years.

Since leaving management, he is a regular pundit with Sky and Al Jazeera television.

Away from football, he has helped his wife Helen who has been battling breast cancer for the past few years.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery to Trevor and Helen.