George Best, the former Manchester United star, has been readmitted to intensive care today after suffering a "new and severe infection".

"Mr Best is not so well and has had to be admitted back to the ITU (intensive treatment unit)," Professor Roger Williams, Mr Best's doctor, told reporters outside the Cromwell Hospital in west London.

"He has got a new and severe infection. He’s on dialysis and he is very poorly at the moment," said Professor Williams, who added that Mr Best was being given oxygen but was not on a ventilator.

Mr Best, who had a liver transplant in 2002 after decades of alcholism, was first taken into intensive care in early October after being admitted to hospital with flu-like symptoms.

His condition rapidly deteriorated and he nearly died after he suffered internal bleeding linked to a bowel infection. But Mr Best, 59, was moved out of intensive care nine days ago as his condition improved after a change of medication.

"It’s a big setback after steady progress over the last couple of weeks," said Professor Williams. "Unfortunately he’s now got another infection and that’s causing all the problems with kidneys and everything else, so he’s on dialysis."

Mr Best, once a brilliantly talented footballer, played for Manchester United and Northern Ireland in the 1960s. Named by Pele as his favourite player, Mr Best's career was shortened by an extravagant lifestyle and heavy drinking. Sacked by Manchester United at the age of 27, he retired from football in 1983.

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