Ryan Mason feels 'lucky to be here' and admits the knowledge that playing football again could risk his life has helped him accept the early end to his career.
Mason announced his retirement from playing earlier this week, just under 13 months on from suffering a fractured skull in a sickening clash of heads with Chelsea defender Cary Cahill.
The 26-year-old former Hull and Tottenham midfielder, who won one England cap, told BBC Radio Five Live on Friday: 'It's been quite sad and emotional but at the same time I've had so many good luck messages and positive feedback from my career that it has been nice at the same time.