MILAN, Italy (Reuters) -- Former Wales and Juventus striker John Charles has had his right foot amputated due to serious blood circulation problems, the Italian daily Tuttosport reports.
The paper said Charles, 72, who underwent an emergency heart operation on January 6, was operated on at Milan's San Carlo hospital.
The operation took place on Monday and the paper said Charles' condition was "unstable."
Staff at San Carlo hospital were unable to comment.
A British Sunday newspaper said Charles was expected to be flown to a hospital near his home in Yorkshire this week.
Charles, who won three Italian titles with Juve after making his name with Leeds United, fell ill before a scheduled appearance on Italian TV programme Sports Sunday on January 4.
The Welshman, dubbed the 'Gentle Giant' by Italian fans, spent five seasons at Juventus after arriving in 1957, scoring 93 goals in 155 league appearances.
Charles, who was born in Cwmdu near Swansea in south Wales, won 38 caps for his country and played for them in the 1958 World Cup finals in Sweden.
The paper said Charles, 72, who underwent an emergency heart operation on January 6, was operated on at Milan's San Carlo hospital.
The operation took place on Monday and the paper said Charles' condition was "unstable."
Staff at San Carlo hospital were unable to comment.
A British Sunday newspaper said Charles was expected to be flown to a hospital near his home in Yorkshire this week.
Charles, who won three Italian titles with Juve after making his name with Leeds United, fell ill before a scheduled appearance on Italian TV programme Sports Sunday on January 4.
The Welshman, dubbed the 'Gentle Giant' by Italian fans, spent five seasons at Juventus after arriving in 1957, scoring 93 goals in 155 league appearances.
Charles, who was born in Cwmdu near Swansea in south Wales, won 38 caps for his country and played for them in the 1958 World Cup finals in Sweden.
