FORMER football boss Brian Clough has left hospital three weeks after his life-saving liver transplant.

Clough, who played for Middlesbrough and Sunderland before enjoying huge success as a manager, was told he had just weeks to live after his heavy drinking left him with chronic liver cancer.

Doctors said the only hope for the 67-year-old was a new liver.

The doctor who performed the surgery revealed that his liver was riddled with cancer and was just eight weeks away from the "point of no return" before the operation.

Consultant Derek Manas said: "Three months ago, we reached a decision that there was no other option for Brian but a liver transplant. The sclerosis of the liver due to his heavy drinking had led to the liver becoming cancerous.

"After performing the operation, we can say that within two months, without a transplant, we would have reached the point of no return and we would have not been able to perform an operation. He is a very lucky man."

Clough underwent an eight-hour transplant as an NHS patient at Newcastle's Freeman Hospital in the early hours of January 13. His wife, Barbara, kept a vigil at the hospital.

Clough was released on Sunday and was described yesterday as "fit and well".

A spokeswoman for the Freeman said: "We wish him well after his successful operation and hope he goes from strength to strength."