Last Updated: Fri, 30 Mar 2012 23:53
Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish believes the fighting spirit of Stiliyan Petrov will help him in his battle to overcome acute leukaemia.
The condition was diagnosed following tests after the Bulgaria international developed a fever following last Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Arsenal.
Messages of support for the former Celtic player, who was due to spend Friday night in a London hospital, have flooded in since the news was confirmed in a Villa statement.
McLeish said: "It's that old perspective cliche but it's so true and everybody here is behind Stan and a lot of the guys, everybody, will be shocked by the news. But he's a captain, he's a leader, he's a defiant guy and he's fought many battles on the pitch and I'm sure this is another one he'll win.
"We certainly think it's in the early stages and Stan will get the best medical attention possible.
"I spoke to him and he was typical Stan, defiant, but I think obviously he's concerned about how its affected his loved ones."
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