Former Watford captain Pat Rice has been admitted to hospital with cancer.

Rice joined the Hornets in 1980 from Arsenal for £20,000 and captained the side as they secured promotion to English football's top flight for the first time during the 1981/82 season.

The Northern Ireland international, who was capped 49 times, made 137 appearances for the Golden Boys in all competitions during his four-year spell at Vicarage Road, scoring one goal.

Rice is an Arsenal legend having made 528 appearances during his 16-year spell as a player and he returned to the club after his time at Watford to become the Gunners' youth team coach, assistant manager and he was caretaker manager before Arsene Wenger's arrival.

Rice retired from Arsenal's coaching staff last year, having worked for the club for 44 years in his two spells.

Arsenal this morning released a statement saying: "We can sadly confirm Pat Rice is in hospital receiving treatment for cancer. Everyone at Arsenal Football Club sends him our best wishes. Our thoughts are with Pat and his family."