Soccer: Adshead has cancer, full recovery expected

John Adshead

Former All White soccer coach John Adshead has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, his club confirmed today.

New Zealand Knights chairman Anthony Lee said Adshead, the club's football manager, was expected to make a full and rapid recovery.

Lee said treatment was expected to be completed before the Knights' pre-season programme began in the middle of next month, ahead of the inaugural Australian A-League.

"John has been diagnosed, but in an ironic twist of fate he has his heart attack of some years ago to thank for an early detection," Lee said in a statement.

"It was thanks to one of John's regular medical checks that the very early signs of prostate cancer have been found and he is expected to make a full and rapid recovery."

Adshead, who guided the All Whites to the 1982 World Cup finals, was coaching in Oman immediately before returning to New Zealand in January to join the Knights.

- nzpa