COLIN Hendry is preparing to sue following the operation which left his wife battling for her life.

The former Blackburn Rovers star, on loan to Preston North End earlier this year, revealed the move as the boss of the private hospital at the centre of the case spoke for the first time about the matter.

She claimed that Dr Gustaf Aniansson, who had performed the liposuction procedure on Denise Hendry, had been cleared of any wrong doing by the General Medical Council.

A spokesman for the GMC today said it could not comment on any ongoing investigations until they were referred to a public hearing. However she said Dr Aniansson had not been suspended, nor were there any restrictions placed on his practice.

The ex-Scotland captain, who now plays for Bolton Wanderers, confirmed Dr Aniansson performed the liposuction operation on mother-of-four Denise at the Broughton Park Private Hospital, Preston, in April, and he was now taking legal advice.

Days after the operation Denise was transferred to the Royal Preston Hospital with septicaemia where she spent more than a month in a coma on a life support machine on the intensive care unit. Denise, 35, is still being cared for at the hospital where she is said to be improving, yet still poorly. She is out of her coma and off the life support machine.

Neither the GMC nor the Royal Preston Hospital would comment on the matter.

Colin, who lives in a £1m home in Lytham St Annes, said: "I fully support the letter reportedly sent to the GMC by the Royal Preston Hospital and have instructed a legal team.

"This has been a devastating time for all the family but the most important thing is that Denise's health continues to improve."

Linda Hanson, managing director of the private hospital, revealed an internal investigation had been carried out immediately after the incident and said the hospital had been probed by the National Care Standard Commission, the government body which regulates private hospitals among other care facilities.

Mrs Hanson said: "The surgeon involved was exonerated by the GMC yesterday morning. Had the GMC said there was a cause for concern with that surgeon, or we had thought previously there was something wrong, we would have suspended him immediately, but there has been no wrong doing.

"We have never been able to discuss the incident until now and we have been deeply distressed by the various reports. Our hearts and minds have been with the family. We are delighted at how Denise is progressing."

Mrs Hanson said the National Care Standard Commission had launched its own investigation into the hospital's procedures, which they had co-operated with fully.

The spokesman added: "This case was brought to our attention through the press reports and we acted immediately. Local inspectors visited the hospital on several occasions and as far as we are concerned there are a number of issues we want to take forward with them.

"We have written to them asking them to take certain steps on a number of things. Our investigations are still continuing."

Manchester solicitors Pannone and Partners said: "We have been instructed by Mrs Hendry to begin formal investigations into her treatment with a view to bringing a claim for compensation against both Broughton Park Hospital and Mr Aniansson."