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Trevor Francis has been discharged from hospital after suffering a suspected heart attack on Friday.

Birmingham Heartlands Hospital on Monday afternoon confirmed the former England striker has been released, with the 57-year-old having recovered well from successful surgery.

A hospital spokesperson said: "Trevor Francis was discharged from Birmingham Heartlands Hospital this afternoon."

The news comes as welcome relief, not just to Francis' family but to the footballing world, who have shown their support over the weekend.

It also comes on the same day that Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba has been discharged from the London Chest Hospital after his cardiac arrest on the pitch during an FA Cup tie with Tottenham at White Hart Lane on March 17.

Francis earned legendary status with Birmingham, the club where he starred between 1970 and 1979 before becoming Britain's first £1million player when he joined Nottingham Forest.

He went on to score the winning goal for Forest in the 1979 European Cup final against Malmo, subsequently helping the team reach the 1980 final against Hamburg although he missed the victory through injury.

And current Forest chairman Frank Clark, who played alongside Francis for the Reds in their 1979 triumph, has this afternoon wished his former team-mate well.

"I was shocked to hear the news that Trevor had been taken ill," Clark told the club's official website.

"On behalf of everyone at Nottingham Forest I would like to wish Trevor a full and speedy recovery."

Gary Lineker added his delight that both Francis and Muamba had been released.

Using twitter, he wrote: "I see Fabrice Muamba has been released from hospital. How good is that? £miraculous. Trevor Francis also discharged from hospital after a suspected heart attack. Good news all round."

Francis left Forest in 1981 and enjoyed spells with Manchester City, Sampdoria, Atalanta and Rangers.

And Rangers manager Ally McCoist yesterday told the Glasgow club's official website: "I had the pleasure of playing with Trevor later in his career at Ibrox and I know he enjoyed his time in Scotland.

"It was a shock to hear of his heart attack but he is a fighter and I hope he can make a quick and complete recovery.

"On behalf of everyone at Rangers Football Club I wish Trevor and his family well at this difficult time."

Francis won 52 England caps and represented his country at the 1982 World Cup, later enjoying player/manager stints with QPR and Sheffield Wednesday.

The Plymouth-born forward returned to Birmingham as manager in 1996 and led the club to three play-off semi-finals as well as the 2001 League Cup final, which they lost to Liverpool on penalties.

After leaving St Andrew's in 2001, Francis had a two-year spell as manager of Crystal Palace and has since worked extensively as a television pundit.

Trevor Francis Factfile:

1954: Born Plymouth, April 19.

1969: Apprentice at Birmingham.

1970: League debut in May, aged 16.

1977: Full England debut v Holland in February.

1979: Joins Nottingham Forest for £975,000 in February after 280 league appearances and 118 goals for Birmingham.

1979: Scores European Cup-winning goal v Malmo in Munich in May.

1980: Misses Forest retaining European Cup v Hamburg in May through injury.

1981: Joins Manchester City for £1.2million.

1982: Joins Sampdoria in July for £800,000.

1986: Moves to Atalanta.

1987: September - Joins Rangers on free transfer.

1988: March - joins QPR on free transfer.

December - appointed QPR player/manager.

1989: November - leaves QPR.

1990: Joins Sheffield Wednesday as player in February.

1991: June - appointed Wednesday player-manager on Ron Atkinson's departure for Aston Villa.

1992: September - makes playing comeback in eight-goal UEFA Cup romp v Spora Luxembourg in September.

1993: Wednesday beaten by Arsenal in League Cup final in April. A month later they lose out to Arsenal in an FA Cup final replay.

1995: May - sacked by Wednesday.

1996: May - becomes Birmingham manager.

1998: Quits as City boss after his son was verbally abused during a game - two days later he withdraws his resignation.

2001: Birmingham beaten on penalties by Liverpool in League Cup final. Francis angry after spot-kicks are taken in front of Liverpool fans. Birmingham lose another play-off semi-final, this time to Preston on penalties. Francis order his players off the pitch, again unhappy at the end used for the penalties.

October 15 - sacked as Birmingham manager.

November 30 - appointed Crystal Palace manager on a four-year contract.

2003: April - leaves Selhurst Park by "mutual consent".

2012: April 13 - Admitted to Birmingham Heartlands Hospital after a suspected heart attack.

April 16 - Discharged from hospital.