FORMER Blackburn Rovers star Colin Hendry was today keeping a bedside vigil as his wife battled against a serious blood infection.

Mother-of-four Denise Hendry, 35, was taken to the critical care unit at the Royal Preston Hospital after falling ill following a routine operation at another hospital.

The footballer said today: "Denise is the light of my life, we are praying that light keeps burning. What more can I say?"

She is believed to have septicaemia, which can cause high fever and serious organ damage.

A spokesman for the Royal Preston Hospital said Mrs Hendry was transferred on Friday and was being treated in the intensive care unit. Her condition was said to be "very poorly."

Hendry, 36, who now lives in Lytham St Anne's, is said to be holding a vigil at her bedside. Fans and former colleagues who played with him during his two spells at Blackburn Rovers today said their thoughts were with Colin and Denise.

Rovers chief executive John Williams, said: "I want to pass on the club's best wishes to Colin and his family, on behalf of the directors, staff and players.

"Everyone at Blackburn Rovers passes on their best wishes for a speedy recovery and we are all thinking of Colin at this time."

Pauline Perkins, secretary of the Blackburn Rovers Supporters' Club said: "The thoughts and prayers of every fan are with her." A statement from his current club Bolton Wanderers said: "Mrs Denise Hendry, the wife of Bolton Wanderers footballer, Colin Hendry, was admitted to Royal Preston Hospital on Friday 12 April, 2002.

"Mrs Hendry is very poorly and is being cared for in the hospital's intensive care unit."

Her condition remained unchanged yesterday morning and the hospital said the family wished their privacy to be respected and no further details of her condition were being released.

Hendry played for Blackburn Rovers during two spells and still remains a hero in the town. The couple had a home in Ribchester Road, Wilpshire, and his children attended the nearby Salesbury CE Primary, Lovely Hall Lane, Salesbury.

In 1995 Hendry, who went on to captain Scotland in the 1998 World Cup in France, helped the team clinch the title before he made a "dream" move to his native Scotland when Rangers paid £4million for him, helping them clinch the title.

In 2001 he signed for Lancashire rivals Bolton Wanderers and this season enjoyed a brief loan-spell with Preston North End.

Defender Glenn Keeley, who played with Colin Hendry during Hendry's first spell with the club from 1987 -- 1989, said: "I heard yesterday and I meant to send him a card this morning.

"I know her from my playing days with Colin. I wouldn't call her a personal friend but obviously I send my best wishes." "Colin is going to have a huge amount on his plate right now, it is just awful for him.

"And at times like these it doesn't matter what your career is, when something happens to your partner like that everything else becomes irrelevant. I hope she gets better soon." Scoring legend Simon Garner, said: "I didn't know anything about this. It must be awful for him.

"They have got kids as well which makes it even more difficult I'm sure.

"I'll be getting in touch with him to send him my best wishes and I'm sure there are a lot of people thinking about him right now." Midfielder Mark Patterson, played with Hendry during first spell at Rovers: "It's terrible news. I was one of the first people he got friendly with when he first came to Rovers, him and Denise. I know him very well.

"I absolutely wish him all the best, him and his family. It's heartbreaking news, I hope she's OK, I hope she pulls through."