Former England and Tottenham striker Jimmy Greaves has suffered a severe stroke and is in intensive care in hospital, his family said on Monday.

A family statement said the 75-year-old Greaves had been taken ill on Sunday and was taken to hospital.

"His wife Irene and four children have asked for privacy during what is a worrying time for the family," added the statement.

"Jimmy had a minor stroke in 2012, but appeared to have made a full recovery.

"He was due to be inducted into the Tottenham Hotspur Hall of Fame on 13 May at a sell-out ceremony at White Hart Lane."

A prolific goalscorer throughout his career, Greaves started his career at Chelsea and also played at West Ham, but his greatest success game at Tottenham scoring 266 goals in 379 matches during a golden era for the London club.

He also scored 44 goals in 57 games for England, the fourth-highest total of all, but missed out on the 1966 World Cup final win over Germany after picking up a shin injury in the group stages

"Everyone at the club wishes Jimmy Greaves a speedy recovery after he suffered a stroke yesterday," Spurs posted on their Twitter site.

"Our thoughts are with Jimmy and his family at this difficult time."

Greaves' former England team-mate Geoff Hurst, who replaced him in the 1966 final and scored a famous hat-trick added his best wishes, tweeting: "Thinking of my friend and one of our greats this morning, @jimmy_greaves. Wishing him all the best and hoping for a speedy recovery."
Source: AFP