Manchester City legend Neil Young is facing up to the very real possibility of losing the "educated" left foot which scored and created so many goals during his 11-year career at Maine Road.

Young underwent emergency surgery at the Alexandra Hospital in Cheadle three years ago after a scan revealed he had developed deep vein thrombosis in his left leg.

The surgical technique seemed to have been successful but the circulatory problems resurfaced a month ago leaving the 66-year-old Fallowfield-born striker unable to walk more than 50 yards before he was forced to rest.

Now a vascular consultant at Macclesfield General Hospital has warned Young that if a second vein transplant operation doesn't work the only other option would be amputation of his left leg.

"The leg felt fine until a month ago when the old symptoms suddenly reappeared," said Young, who chalked up more than 300 senior appearances for the Blues in the 60s.

"Walking has become very difficult. If you have ever suffered a severe attack of cramp you will understand what I am talking about.

"The only way I can ease the pain is to stop walking and lift up my left leg for a minute or two. Then I can walk a further 50 yards before I have to stop again and repeat the process. Apart from being extremely painful it is also incredibly frustrating.

"I am being monitored at the hospital by Mr Welsh who is a vascular specialist. He is a terrific guy who doesn't sugar coat his words.

"He told me he is willing to try another operation where he will take out the problem vein and put it back into the leg the other way round to see if that improves the circulation.

“If that doesn't work Mr Welsh feels that the only other option is to amputate the leg, probably from the knee down.

“I often wonder if this condition is linked in someway to my playing career.

“What keeps going through my head is the horrific injury I sustained while we were on tour in America in the late 60s.

“My left leg was sliced open from knee to ankle by a tackle and the medics had to put 50 stitches in to seal the wound.

“If an amputation is required then so be it, I'll just have to grin and bear it.” 

Young, who lives in Wilmslow, is a member of the Manchester City Former Players' Association and is an Eastlands regular, often attending matches with his third wife.

After retiring from his playing career, Young has had a variety of jobs, including milkman, and has worked in a supermarket, sports shop and tile store.

What are your memories of Young at City? Have your say.