Stuart Pearce health update as England legend remains in hospital after plane diverted | Football | Sport

Stuart Pearce remains in hospital after the England icon suffered a health scare on Friday which caused his plane to be diverted. The 62-year-old is in a stable condition after being taken unwell during a flight home from Las Vegas and remains in hospital where he is recovering from the worrying incident. The former England international had flown to the United States to watch his favourite rugby team, Warrington Wolves, take on the Wigan Warriors on Saturday, March 1.

But on his return journey to the UK, Pearce complained of chest pains during the flight and required medical treatment from staff onboard the Virgin Atlantic aircraft. The plane was forced to make an unexpected stop when it became apparent that Pearce would need to be transported to hospital. Pilots were forced to abort their flight plan and diverted to St John’s, Canada, due to the medical emergency.

Pearce, a pundit for talkSPORT, had to cancel his pre-booked appointments and his work commitment as a result of the incident. However, the Three Lions icon was said to be in ‘great spirits’, according to the radio station’s chief football commentator Sam Matterface.

Having spoken to Pearce ahead of the lunchtime Premier League clash between Nottingham Forest Manchester City – a meeting between two of his former clubs – Matterface provided an update on his well-being: “I spoke to him yesterday, he was in great spirits,” he said. “He isn’t 100 per cent – that is definitely the case. But he’s in the right place in the hospital. They’re dealing with it.

“He’s a little bit disappointed about not being here today. He actually said to me, ‘I’ve got so much I’ve had to cancel. Great games and Mumford & Sons are playing next Wednesday night and I can’t go!’ He’s in hospital playing Guess The Intro – so he’s in good spirits.”

Presenter Reshmin Chowdhury added: “We send our best wishes to him, his partner, and all the family from everyone here at talkSPORT. “We can’t wait to have him back when he’s ready.”

Nottingham Forest also paid tribute to Pearce with a message on their big screen at the City Ground reading: “Get well soon Stuart”, with applause following from all quarters of the ground.

Pearce won 78 caps for England between 1987 and 1999, featuring in the team that reached the semi-finals of the 1990 World Cup. He spent the majority of his club career with Forest, making over 500 appearances before enjoying shorter spells with Newcastle, West Ham and City later in his career.

He went on to coach both Forest and City early in his management career before a six-year tenure as England’s Under-21s boss. Pearce was then appointed England caretaker boss in 2012 and had one more stint at the City Ground before moving into punditry.