FORMER Ipswich and England star Kevin Beattie sat up in his hospital bed today and vowed: "I'll be back!"The player voted Town's greatest-ever star is in typically fighting mood after his latest health scare.

By Mel Henderson

FORMER Ipswich and England star Kevin Beattie sat up in his hospital bed today and vowed: "I'll be back!"

The player voted Town's greatest-ever star is in typically fighting mood after his latest health scare.

Beattie, 49, was rushed to hospital yesterday morning amid fears that the pancreatitis which almost claimed his life 12 years ago had flared up again.

But he said: "They are telling me it isn't that. I've had x-rays and ultrasound, but they haven't been able to tell me what the problem is.

"I'm due to have a scan today and that should provide some answers. At the moment it's a complete mystery."

Beattie has been receiving painkilling injections and is due to be moved from the medical assessment ward where he spent last night.

He recalled the events of yesterday morning after he was doubled up in pain and forced to call the doctor, who in turn arranged an ambulance.

"I was in a terrible state," he admitted. "I had woken up in agony in the middle of the night and I remember saying to my wife 'It's the pancreas again' because I thought the symptoms were similar.

"To be honest I couldn't believe it when they said it wasn't a return of the pancreatitis. I was convinced it was.

"I'm relieved it isn't that, but I would just like to know what is wrong with me and get back on my feet again. I'm feeling a lot better now."

Evening Star columnist Beattie, who also coaches part-time at Carlisle, was on the bench at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on Sunday as his home-town club lost 2-0 to Bristol City in the LDV Vans Trophy Final.

He attended a club party that evening and drove home to Ipswich the next day.

Two of his three daughters were by his bedside, clearly relieved that he had improved, while wife Margaret waited anxiously at home for an update on his condition.

She suffers from multiple sclerosis and had been unable to accompany him to the hospital.

Beattie saluted the hospital staff when he added: "I can't praise the doctors and nurses enough. They do a marvellous job.

"I've been in here a few times over the years and I think the world of them.

"Mind you, I'm still looking forward to them telling me I can go home. But at the moment I haven't a clue when that will be."

Ipswich Hospital today confirmed Beattie's condition as "comfortable".