Ex-Newcastle and England player needs urgent liver transplant after being diagnosed with rare disease

Ex-Newcastle and England footballer, Kieron Dyer has revealed he needs an urgent liver transplant after being diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis.

This comes days after the  42-year-old was hospitalised for tests to establish the cause of his recent health problems. 

Now Ipswich Town, where Dyer works as under-23 manager, have confirmed the diagnosis.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis is a rare condition that attacks the bile ducts and can leave them scarred. 

A statement released by Ipswich on Sunday morning read: 'The club can confirm Town U23 manager Kieron Dyer has been diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis.

'Kieron has been managing problems with his liver for the past couple of years, and now requires a transplant.'

Dyer himself added in the statement: 'Unfortunately, I was diagnosed with a condition of the liver a couple of years ago, that would lead to me one day needing a transplant.

It came months after he suffered a collapsed lung on TV show Celebrity SAS, also suffering hypothermia and a fractured rib during his appearance on the Channel 4 show.