The veteran Republican says he will not return to work "quite yet", in his first statement following weeks of speculation about his health.

US Senator Mitch McConnell says he will not be returning to the Senate “quite yet” after suffering from a fall and “a mild case of pneumonia”.

It is the first statement from the 84-year-old Kentucky Republican after weeks of speculation about his health, following his admission to hospital in mid-June.

A photo was released by his office, in addition to the statement, which shows McConnell with his wife holding what appeared to be Sunday’s Washington Post newspaper.