Personal injury news

Football star overcomes back injury

A footballer who suffered a serious back injury in a motorcycle accident has made steps towards re-launching his career.

Matt Jansen was left in a coma for four days after the horrific incident in Rome in 2002, and was unable to play football for six months. With his back injury finally healed, the 28-year-old found it difficult to force his way back into first-team football with Blackburn Rovers and has decided to try his luck elsewhere.

“I’ve worked hard and put in some of my best-ever training sessions, but it’s like I’m invisible and no-one’s watching.” Jansen revealed to reporters.

Several Premiership teams including Everton, Manchester City and Wigan Athletic are fighting for the Carlisle-born striker’s signature after Blackburn agreed to release him by mutual consent.

Rovers’ chairman John Williams said, “He needs a new challenge and on behalf of everyone connected with the club we wish him well.”

Prior to his motorcycle accident, during which he suffered horrific personal injuries, Jansen had made a multi-million pound move to Blackburn and was tipped for England stardom. He now has some degree of work to do to get himself back in the frame for an international call-up, but with his back injury in the past, his move to pastures new certainly gives him the opportunity to prove what he can do.