Kenny Sansom ‘walking and talking after recovering from beating that left him fighting for his life’

Kenny Sansom is on the mend after a beating in the last few months which has left the ex-England defender fighting for his life, according to reports. 

Sansom, who made 85 appearances for his country from 1979-1988, is now able to walk and talk with his family, but faces months of treatment after sustaining an attack following a drinking session. 

The 61-year-old, who has battled alcoholism in the past, has been moved from a hospital in Exeter, Devon to one in Kent – closer to his family – with friends ‘thrilled’ by his progress, according to The Sun. 

Former England defender Kenny Sansom was left ‘fighting for his life’ after sustaining an attack

Sansom, who most famously played for Arsenal, is now ‘walking and talking with his family’

Sansom was reportedly able to see his daughter Natalie, 40, on Father’s Day on June 21.

‘Kenny is getting stronger week by week. For a long time, it was touch and go,’ a source said. 

‘Then there were fears he might not walk again. But Kenny is now back on his feet and is able to walk unaided.

Sansom himself cannot remember the attack in Exeter, with police reportedly questioning a 60-year-old man about the attack, on April 7. 

The former left back, who also appeared for Crystal Palace, Newcastle United and QPR amongst other clubs, fell on hard times after retiring in the mid-1990s. 

He struggled with business and gambling problems, as well as alcoholism, but has worked as a pundit for his former teams in recent years.