Pavel Srnicek dies, aged 47

Former Newcastle goalkeeper Pavel Srnicek has died at the age of 47, his agent has confirmed.

The Czech had been in an induced coma after collapsing with cardiac arrest while running near his home on December 20.

Tests revealed that Srnicek had suffered "irreversible brain damage" and the decision was made to switch off his life support machine on Tuesday afternoon.

Agent Steve Wraith told Sky Sports News: "He went out for a jog and never returned home. He collapsed of a cardiac arrest. Sadly the amount of time without oxygen proved fatal.

"Unfortunately yesterday was the crucial day, they managed to do a CT scan on his brain and the news wasn't good. His family made the heartbreaking decision to switch off his life support and he died at 2.10pm UK time this afternoon.

"The one thing that's got the family though this horrendous situation is the huge support, particularly from Newcastle United fans on social media. There's been a huge outpouring for one of life's good guys. The ultimate professional. He was good friend to me. I didn't want to sign agent papers with him, that's not what I'm about, but he insisted I did.

"He was one in a million."

Srnicek notched up 150 appearances for Newcastle between 1991 and 1998, and also had stints with Sheffield Wednesday, Portsmouth and West Ham United.