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Former Irish international footballer Kevin Sheedy has been diagnosed with bowel cancer.
The 52-year-old Everton academy coach, who as a player featured heavily in the club's success of the mid-1980s, will undergo surgery later this week.
He is expected to be absent from the Finch Farm training ground for some time.
"It's not ideal but I have to remain positive," said Sheedy.
"After a period of rehabilitation I will return to my coaching role at Everton."
Sheedy made 369 appearances for the Toffeemen, scoring 97 goals.
But he will always be remembered in Ireland as the man who put the ball in the England net at the Italia '90 World Cup.
Ireland were 1-0 down to a goal by Gary Lineker when Sheedy scored a dramatic and crucial equaliser in Cagliari, Sardinia.
He was a leading member of the team that went on the quarter-finals.
The former footballer was keen to highlight the importance of people being aware of getting an early diagnosis if they experienced any problems.
