FORMER Newcastle United player David Ginola has sent a message to fans from his hospital bed where he is undergoing tests after reportedly collapsing after playing football.

The French media was initially reporting that the 49-year-old had suffered a cardiac arrest, but the cause of his collapse remains unconfirmed.

Later, Ginola himself sent a tweet from his hospital bed, which suggested his condition had been due to the hot weather.

He tweeted: "Footy match in the midday sun, not very clever. Now having some tests done. Whoever voted for a World Cup in Qatar in the summer?"

A French newspaper reported that the former French international had been airlifted to Centre Hospitalier Princesse-Grace de Monaco after he took ill in Mandelieu, near Nice, at about 4.30pm local time.

He was said to be "unconscious but stable" when transferred to a special ward that deals with heart complications for tests.

Messages of support from for Ginola have been posted on Twitter from former colleagues, friends and fans.

Newcastle United sent a "get well soon" message to Ginola via the club's official Twitter account, while Tottenham Hotspur tweeted: "Everyone at the club wishes you a speedy recovery."

Faustino Asprilla, a former teammate of Ginola's at St James' Park, was one of the first to send his best wishes, tweeting: "Thoughts and prayers with my friend David Ginola. Hoping for speedy recovery."

Another former colleague, Rob Lee, added: "Hope your ok mate."

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel said: "I hope he will be ok and I send my best wishes to him."

French international Ginola moved from Paris St Germain to Newcastle United in 1995, where he became a firm favourite with the fans, scoring six goals in 58 appearances.

He went on to play in the Premier League for Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and Everton.

Since his retirement from the game, he has been a regular television pundit and has had several acting roles.