FORMER Hereford United player-manager John Charles, who is recovering in a Milan hospital after emergency surgery, has been receiving goodwill messages from all over the world.

Charles, 72, who collapsed with a potentially fatal aneurism in an Italian TV studio, has received a visit from former Italy coach Cesare Maldini and a telephone call from Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

Charles had a second operation to remove a blood clot from his leg and is expected to be in hospital for 'months and months' according to his wife Glenda.

Get well messages can be e-mailed to Charles' surgeon at piergiorgio.settembrini@unimi.it who will pass them on.