Former Swansea defender Kevin Austin stresses cancer diagnosis is not terminal

Former Swansea defender Kevin Austin has revealed he has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

But the 45-year-old – who won seven caps for Trinidad and Tobago – has stressed his condition is not terminal after stories swept social media that he was dying.

London-born Austin was diagnosed last June and has started treatment, and he told Swansea’s official website that has stabilised his condition.

“I appreciate the nice messages coming from supporters from Swansea – they are fantastic fans – and all the clubs I have played for, but I needed to let people know that the rumours being spread just aren’t true,” said Austin, who is currently part of Scunthorpe’s academy coaching set-up.

“I have pancreatic cancer, but my doctors have said they are happy with the way things are going and it is under control.

“My family is in a good place too, and I just wanted people to know the truth.”

Austin made over 100 league appearances for Leyton Orient and Lincoln and he also played for Barnsley, Brentford, Cambridge, Bristol Rovers and Chesterfield during a career in which he totalled more than 550 senior games.

But it was at Swansea between 2004 and 2008 where the tough defender arguably enjoyed the most successful spell of his career.

Austin played 150 games as Swansea won promotion from League Two and the League One title, while he was also part of the squad that won the Football League Trophy in 2006.