Wolves star Jody Craddock's son diagnosed with leukemia

Wolves this afternoon confirmed the youngest son of Jody Craddock and wife Shelley has been diagnosed with leukaemia.

Toddler Toby, aged two-and-a-half, is the youngest of the couple's three boys.

In a statement issued today, the club said: "Toby is suffering from Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) and has started a lengthy process of treatment at Birmingham Children's Hospital.

"ALL is the most common cancer diagnosed in children, representing nearly one third of childhood cancers.

"With improvements in diagnosis and treatment the overall cure rate for childhood ALL is more than 80 per cent.

"Wolves will be doing everything they can to support Jody and his family at this difficult time and throughout the road to recovery for Toby."

Manager Terry Connor said: "Everyone connected with the club will be devastated to hear the news about Toby, and will want to offer all their love and support to Jody, Shelley and all their three boys.

"We're comforted to hear that the programme of treatment will give Toby a very good chance of a full recovery, and we know that, at Birmingham Children's Hospital, he's in the best possible hands.

"But we're also aware that the diagnosis is the start of a long and difficult battle for young Toby, and as a club we will be there to stand side by side with the Craddock family throughout these difficult times.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Toby and the whole family."

Chief executive Jez Moxey added: "On behalf of Steve Morgan, the board, and everyone at the football club, we would like to echo Terry's words and we'll be there to support Jody and his family every step of the way."

The Craddocks have requested the media respect their privacy at this difficult time while they concentrate on Toby's recovery and the family.