Former Southampton player Kyle Critchell suffers life-threatening illness

Former Southampton youth player Kyle Critchell has revealed that he battled a life-threatening illness three months ago.

The 26-year-old, who played alongside now Real Madrid star Gareth Bale during his time with the Saints, contracted severe sepsis, which occurs when tissues and organs in the body are injured due to infection.

"My partner was told I had sepsis, it was life-threatening," Critchell told BBC Radio Solent.

"It is an infection that spreads throughout the body and attacked my vital organs.

"It was touch and go for the next five weeks and it was a very traumatic time for me and my family."

The former Wales Under-21 international currently plays for Southern League Premier Division Weymouth.