I think we'll find a cure and then we can all have a good old knees-up!

BRAVE STAR'S BRILLIANT CHARITY WORK PROVES HE WON'T LET DISEASE BEAT HIM

- ROSS HEPPENSTALL

MARCUS STEWART, by his own admission, is "not an emotional guy" but being diagnosed with motor neurone disease has made him reassess his priorities.

Time with wife Louise, his sons - Kian, 23, and Finlay, 21 - and step-daughter Ellie, 22, has become increasingly precious for the former Bristol Rovers, Huddersfield, Ipswich and Sunderland striker.

Since his diagnosis last year for a disease for which there is currently no cure, 50-year-old Stewart has received widespread support and undertaken numerous fundraising events.

He said: "I've had loads of messages from old managers, ex-players and team-mates in football, plus many people within the MND community.

"I've got to know Stephen Darby, his wife Steph Houghton and Jill Scott too.