The former goalkeeper, who made a record 513 appearances for the club and has a stand at Deepdale named after him, is recovering in the United States after life-saving surgery.

The Republic of Ireland international, aged 71, has undergone two operations during his two-month stay in hospital in Washington, where he has lived for the last 24 years.

His son, Alan Jnr, told the North End website he had flown out to the US to be at his dad's bedside.

He said: "He's been in hospital for the past seven weeks. He's had major surgery for colon cancer.

>> Mellor double sinks Seasiders

"Myself and my older brother David had to go out there because it didn't look too good at one stage. He's been through a few little sticky patches, but I spoke to him a couple of days ago and he seems brighter and he's getting better.

"He told me that there's life in the old dog yet."

Kelly, who was a player, coach, assistant manager and manager during a mammoth 36-year association with the Lilywhites, made his debut in 1958 during the FA cup fourth-round tie at Swansea.

Immortalised

He helped the club reach the FA Cup final in 1964, when the team were narrowly defeated 3-2 by West Ham United. Kelly also had a brief stint managing his country in 1980.

In 2001 his name was immortalised when the Town End stand at Deepdale was named after him, alongside club legends Sir Tom Finney and Bill Shankly.

His sons Alan, David and Gary all followed in their fathers' footsteps, playing in goal.

Alan is a former player for Sheffield United and Blackburn Rovers and Gary enjoyed a career with Oldham Athletic, both representing the Republic of Ireland.

David played for an amateur team in Preston.

Kelly will now undergo a series of gruelling chemotherapy sessions to shrink what is left of the tumour.

Alan Jnr added: "He's had two major surgeries and the doctors think that they have cut out most of the cancer and now he'll have to to go through the chemotherapy and everything that goes with it.

"But he seems positive about the end result and we'll keep our fingers crossed."