Ex-Newcastle and England footballer Kieron Dyer, 42, reveals he needs an urgent LIVER TRANSPLANT after being diagnosed with rare disease... months after suffering a collapsed lung while filming Celebrity SAS

 Kieron Dyer has revealed he needs a liver transplant after being diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis.

The former England international, 42, was in hospital earlier this week to establish the cause of recent health problems.

Now Ipswich Town, where Dyer works as under-23 manager, have confirmed the diagnosis.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis is a rare condition that attacks the bile ducts and can leave them scarred. 

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Kieron Dyer requires a liver transplant after being diagnosed with a rare condition

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The former Newcastle United and England midfield has been in hospital for medical testsA statement released by Ipswich on Sunday morning read: 'The club can confirm Town U23 manager Kieron Dyer has been diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis.

'Kieron has been managing problems with his liver for the past couple of years, and now requires a transplant.'

Dyer himself added in the statement: 'Unfortunately, I was diagnosed with a condition of the liver a couple of years ago, that would lead to me one day needing a transplant.

'Over the next week, test results will confirm when I need to go through this procedure.

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Dyer has worked as a pundit for Sky Sports (pictured) and is Ipswich's Under 23s manager 

Primary sclerosing cholangitis 

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a rare condition that attacks the bile ducts and causes them to scar. 

Bile is a digestive juice which breaks down fats in the body and is also essential for absorbing certain vitamins. 

Bile is made by the liver and then travels through ducts to the gall bladder and small intestine. 

If bile is allowed to build up over time, it can cause cirrhosis of the liver. 

Symptoms of PSC include extreme fatigue, stomach pain, yellowing of the skin and eyes, itchy skin and chills caused by infections. 'I see myself as a very positive person that will overcome this minor setback.

'I'm very grateful to the Club, the supporters and the general public for their messages of support over the past week.

'I would like to ask everyone now to respect my privacy, and my family's privacy.'

It emerged earlier this week the former Newcastle United and West Ham midfielder, who won 33 caps for England, had been taken into hospital for tests.

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Dyer played for England but retired from football at the age of 34 after an injury-hit career 

It came months after he suffered a collapsed lung on TV show Celebrity SAS, also suffering hypothermia and a fractured rib during his appearance on the Channel 4 show.

Speaking afterwards, Dyer said: 'There were quite a few things to overcome.

'I'd had hypothermia, and I had a fractured rib, a collapsed lung, and one of my testicles was as big as an apple. 

'When I had my first hospital visit my lung wasn't picked up. I was about to fly but I didn't feel quite right and went to hospital again and they spotted it.

'It was lucky I didn't get on the plane.' 

Dyer revealed that he had to use painkillers to cope with his injuries. He said: 'I had to mask the pain and pump myself full of paracetamol.' 

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Dyer was forced to withdraw from the popular show Celebrity SAS after cracking a rib

During the show, Dyer also revealed the emotional toll of being sexually abused when he was just '11 or 12' years old.  

Speaking to Ant Middleton and Mark 'Billy' Billingham, the former England footballer said that the abuse he sustained by his uncle 'turned him into a monster'. 

Dyer – whose cracked rib forced him out of the competition – said: 'I didn't want to go on about sob stories or accomplishments, I wanted you to judge me from a clean slate, and yeah, I was a victim of sexual abuse when I was a kid.  

'I was 11 or 12 from a family member and this monster, well this f**king p***k turned me into a monster, and for the rest of my life the amount of people I've hurt because of these personality traits.

'Like family, dad, mum, wife, you can go on and on. I always had the mindset of do you know what, 'cause I'm a victim, this is the way I am.

'I have just learned today when I come out of here, I'm not a victim of sexual abuse no more, because every time I'm a victim, he wins. Every time I hurt my family and they're victims, he wins. I'm not a victim no more.' Dyer was also present during the recent Newcastle and Tottenham game that saw a supporter receive medical treatment in the stands.   

Discussing the importance of having equipment like defibrillators at football stadiums, the ex-Newcastle player said at the time: 'When you do your coaching badges, it's compulsory that you do your first-aid.

'Just having that bit of knowledge can help save people's lives.' 

The former midfielder retired from playing football at the age of 34 after an injury-hit career. He came through the ranks at Ipswich and made 117 appearances during two spells at the club.

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Dyer pictured in Ipswich during a photoshoot for a Sportsmail interview back in 2018

In 1996 he moved to Newcastle for £6.5million. During his time at the club he scored 36 goals in 251 appearances and went to the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004. Following that he played for West Ham, QPR and Middlesbrough. 

However, he decided to end his 17-year career as a player and move into coaching after being released by Middlesbrough.      

Dyer subsequently took up an academy coaching role at his first club Ipswich Town in 2014. 

He was then promoted to assistant manager of the U18 side in 2018 before taking charge of the U23 team last October.