Former Premier League footballer Liam Miller is "determined" to beat cancer.

John Hartson, who played alongside Miller at Celtic, provided an update on the 36-year-old's battle with the disease after speaking to him on the phone.

Last month, messages of support flooded in for Miller after it emerged he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Now, Hartson, who played with Miller between 2001 and 2004 before the midfielder left Celtic for Manchester United, has told how the ex-Ireland international is "battling hard".

On Twitter, he wrote: "Just off the phone to Liam Miller.. he has a big fight on his hands, and is feeling determined and battling hard through this horrible period of his life."
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 20: Wilfried Zaha of Manchester United in action with Liam Miller and Thomas Broich of A-League All-Stars during the match between the A-League All-Stars and Manchester United at ANZ Stadium on July 20, 2013 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matthew Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images) (
Image:
Matthew Peters)

"We send him our prayers and strength, and hope that Liam can get back to a normal way of life."

Miller has returned to Ireland from the US, where he last played for USL side Wilmington Hammerheads, and is undergoing treatment, reports the Daily Record .

John Hartson beat cancer in 2009

Hartson underwent successful treatment for cancer in 2009.

He continues to raise money through his foundation to increase awareness of the disease and to help raise money to support people affected by the disease.