Kevin Keegan: Former England and Newcastle manager reveals stage four cancer treatment - and says he's being treated by a Liverpool fan

Former England and Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan says he is responding well to treatment for stage four cancer - and his doctor is a Liverpool supporter.

Speaking on stage at the Tyne Theatre in Newcastle on Sunday, Keegan, 75, joked that he is "still alive", referring to a fake story that was published after his diagnosis claiming he had only days to live.

The evening was reportedly his first public outing since his cancer diagnosis was revealed in January.

He told the audience he is responding well to treatment after being assured "'we have a top doctor with this new way of fighting what you have got".

"He [the doctor] was a Liverpool supporter, so I went to meet him. I knew I wouldn't be walking alone, if you know what I mean."

Keegan is closely associated with the Premier League teams Liverpool and Newcastle, the latter he both played for and managed, and he is affectionately known as "King Kev" for his footballing exploits.

The striker won three First Division titles while a player at Liverpool, as well as an FA Cup, two Charity Shields, two UEFA Cups, and the European Cup.

As a manager, he guided Newcastle to promotion to the Premier League and to second place in the table in 1996. Newcastle would finish second again the following year, after his departure mid-season.

But he said, despite his popularity at United, he doesn't want a statue at St James' Park, alongside those of another former manager, Sir Bobby Robson, and iconic striker Alan Shearer.

He said: "You will have to wait until I die... My statue is the way people receive me."

But he is planning to return to the stadium next season for what will be his first visit since an ill-fated second spell as manager in 2008.

Keegan said he wants to wave to the crowd before kick-off, as "I want to say goodbye. I didn't get the chance when I left the club last time".

But he said the visit will only happen if current Magpies manager Eddie Howe supports it.

Keegan also had stints at Southampton, Scunthorpe, and for German side Hamburg during his playing career.

He won 63 England caps, scoring 21 goals, playing at the 1982 World Cup, and was also later captain of the national team.

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Keegan was twice named European Footballer of the Year while at Hamburg and returned to England to play for Southampton and Newcastle before retiring as a player in 1984.

He became England manager in 1999, but quit the following year after a disappointing Euro 2000 campaign.

His last managerial job was his fairytale return to Newcastle United in 2008 but he quickly fell out with then-owner Mike Ashley and eventually won a constructive dismissal lawsuit against the club.

Newcastle United went on to be relegated that season.

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