Harford - Kinnear is a fighter

16 February 2009 17:43
Mick Harford expects Joe Kinnear to remain in football despite his recent health problems.[LNB] The Newcastle boss recently underwent a triple heart bypass operation and will require a lengthy spell away from the game as he seeks to make a full recovery.[LNB]Kinnear had complained of feeling unwell prior to the Magpies' clash with West Brom on 7th February.[LNB]He was immediately taken to hospital, where the full extent of his problem was revealed.[LNB]Having gone under the knife last Friday it is expected that he will need around eight weeks of rehabilitation before returning to full health.[LNB]The heart scare is unlikely to keep him away from football for long, though, as he has already bounced back from a similar problem he suffered in 1999.[LNB]Kinnear, who was in charge of Wimbledon at the time, collapsed prior to a Premier League fixture with Sheffield Wednesday in March of that year.[LNB]Positive personHarford was among the Dons' coaching staff that day and has backed his former mentor to be back on the sidelines at St James' Park before too long. [LNB]"I absolutely feel for him," the Luton boss told Sky Sports News.[LNB]"I have left a couple of messages on his mobile phone but I haven't got back to him yet. I'd like to get up and see him but I haven't had the opportunity to. [LNB]"I send him my best wishes. He will be fighting. [LNB]"I was with him the first time he had a scare at Sheffield Wednesday and he came back from that. [LNB]"He's a very positive person, he changed his lifestyle and I know 100 per cent that he will want to stay in football. I wish him all the best."[LNB]

Source: SKY_Sports