Former Aston Villa skipper, Stiliyan Petrov, has visited Carl Ikeme to lend his support following the goalkeeper’s leukaemia diagnosis.
Wolves revealed last week Ikeme, 31, has acute leukaemia.
Petrov, 38, who has bravely beat the disease, visited Ikeme over the weekend ahead of the star starting chemotherapy.
The Bulgarian, who was diagnosed in 2012 and retired in 2013, said: “I went to see Carl the other day, so we had a little chat.
“Obviously there were a lot of questions in his mind but he was in very good spirits. He’s started his treatment now. It’s a long road to follow.
“He had so many questions so I’ve been through it with him.
“You need to answer in a way that’s going to give him everything that will happen, what to expect, how to deal with it, what are the side effects, how he’s going to approach everything.
“There are a lot of things, but he’s in good spirits and that’s the main thing. I said to him you’ll have great support. Everybody around the world will support you and it’s a great help.
“I will always give myself as an example. It’s a long road, it’s hard, it’s tough, you need to really battle though it.
“But look at me now. I’m alive, I’m kicking. It’s life afterwards and it’s worth it when you battle so hard to appreciate life even more afterwards.”
Petrov played for Villa between 2006 and 2013, making 185 appearances.
