After Ryan Mason was allowed to return home following the skull fracture he suffered against Chelsea, the Hull City midfielder has released a statement offering thanks and revealing he is 'lucky to be alive'.
Having spent eight days in St Mary's Hospital Mason, 25, after his horror clash of heads with Chelsea defender Gary Cahill last Sunday is now at home recovering.
Mason's statement is his first communication since the incident and he took the opportunity to thank all involved in helping him through the 'traumatic experience'.
He said: 'I would like to thank everyone for the overwhelming support that has been shown to both me and my entire family over the past week or so.