It was revealed in January that the former England player and manager was being treated for the illness and he has now given more information about his diagnosis.

Speaking on stage in Newcastle at the weekend, Keegan said: "They said we have a top doctor with this new way of fighting what you have got. Which is stage four cancer. He was a Liverpool supporter so I went to meet him. I knew I wouldn’t be walking alone, if you know what I mean."

The former Liverpool and Hamburg footballer, 75, made light of the diagnosis by joking about his doctor's claim that he had an impressive strike rate in treating the disease.

Keegan said: "I said: 'Fantastic! What is your strike rate?' He said: '33 per cent'. Oh. I thought he might say 80, maybe 90! Anyway, I am still here at the moment…"

The legendary footballer became a hero to Newcastle fans thanks to his managerial stint with the Magpies during the 1990s and has declared that he plans to visit St James' Park for the first time since his less successful second spell in charge came to an end in 2008.

Keegan said: "I want to say goodbye. I didn’t get the chance when I left the club last time…"

However, Keegan suggested that he doesn't want a statue outside the stadium alongside Newcastle legends Sir Bobby Robson and Alan Shearer until he passes away.

He said: "You will have to wait until I die. My statue is the way people receive me."