Tuesday 22 December 2015 08:30, UK
Former Newcastle United goalkeeper Pavel Srnicek is in a critical condition after suffering a cardiac arrest.
The 47-year-old collapsed while running in his native Czech Republic on Sunday.
Srnicek was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital in Poruba and placed in an induced coma, where he has remained since.
His agent Steve Wraith wrote on Twitter: "I can confirm that Pavel has suffered a cardiac arrest whilst running and is in critical condition in hospital.
"Pavel was running last night and his heart stopped he was like that for 20 minutes then rushed to hospital he is an induced coma until wed.
"Then they will see if his heart is stronger and if so bring him out of the coma.....no one knows if his brain has been to starved of oxygen".
Srnicek joined Newcastle from Czech club Banik Ostrava in 1991, helping the Magpies win promotion to the Premier League in 1993.
The former Czech international made 199 appearances during his first spell at St James' Park before re-joining Banik in 1998.
Srnicek, who also enjoyed spells at Sheffield Wednesday, Portsmouth and West Ham, returned to Newcastle in 2006 and made a further two appearances for the club before retiring in 2007.
Newcastle were quick to offer a message of support, tweeting: "Our best wishes go to @PavelSrnicekUK, who has been taken to hospital today. Get well soon, Pav. #NUFC".
