Heart surgery shock for Tottenham icon Mabbutt

FORMER Tottenham captain Gary Mabbutt has been admitted to hospital for heart surgery. Mabbutt reported chest pains and breathlessness and Spurs confirmed that the 55-year-old was set to have an operation yesterday afternoon. ‘Everyone at the club wishes our legendary former captain a speedy recovery,’ said a tweet from Tottenham. ‘Get well soon, Mabbsy!’ Centre half Mabbutt moved to Spurs from Bristol Rovers in 1982 and soon became a firm favourite at White Hart Lane. He has been a key figure in the club’s team of former players who worked in the hospitality boxes and joined the parade of legends as they said farewell to the old stadium after a win against Manchester United last month. He made 477 league appearances for Tottenham, winning the FA Cup and UEFA Cup and collected 16 England caps. Mabbutt was diagnosed as a teenager with Type 1 diabetes and four years ago needed a major operation to replace the main artery in his left leg. Last night Gary Lineker tweeted: ‘When they operate it will be the biggest heart they’ve ever seen. Thinking of you, skipper.’