EXCLUSIVE: Ryan Mason told he will play again after Chelsea head horror

RYAN MASON was last night told: You will play again.

Posted Tuesday, January 24, 2017 by Dailystar.co.uk

The Hull midfielder was well enough yesterday to speak to family and friends in hospital less than 24 hours after undergoing emergency surgery for a fractured skull

Mason, 25, suffered the injury in a sickening clash of heads with Chelsea’s Gary Cahill at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

He was visited yesterday by Hull captain Michael Dawson while Cahill and Chelsea team-mate John Terry also spent time with his family at the west London hospital on Sunday night.

But among the messages of support flooding in for Mason was one from former Barnsley striker Iain Hume, who rebuilt his own career after suffering the same type of head injury during a game in 2008.

Hume fractured his skull and suffered internal bleeding but was back playing professionally again within eight months.

"My message to Ryan is to stay positive and surround himself with people who will support him,” Hume told Starsport.

EXCLUSIVE: Ryan Mason told he will play again after Chelsea head horror
Ryan Mason fractured his skull against Chelsea

"He will be fine and come back sooner than he thinks.

"Don’t get me wrong, a fractured skull is a serious injury but it does not have to be career-threatening.

"Ryan is still a young lad and will want to get back playing as soon as possible.

"He’ll have a few mental barriers to clear but he’s a strong character and I’ve no doubt he’ll deal with them.”

Mason will remain in hospital for at least the next few days and no timescale has been put on his recovery.

EXCLUSIVE: Ryan Mason told he will play again after Chelsea head horror
Iain Hume shows off his scar sustained in 2008

"Ryan has been visited this morning at St Mary’s Hospital by club captain Michael Dawson, club doctor Mark Waller, head of medical Rob Price and club secretary Matt Wild,” read a club statement.

"Ryan has been speaking of the incident yesterday and will continue to be monitored at the hospital over the coming days where the club will remain in close contact with Ryan, his family and the staff at St Mary’s.

"Ryan and his family have also been extremely touched by the overwhelming support they have received and would very much like to thank all of those who have posted such positive comments both on social media and in the press over the last 24 hours.”

Brain injury charity Headway yesterday praised the treatment he received by the medics at Stamford Bridge.

Headway chief executive Peter McCabe said: “I was actually at the match and, while it was upsetting to witness the incident, it was encouraging to see the exemplary reaction of the medical teams.

"Headway has been critical of the way in which head injuries have been treated in many high-profile football incidents in recent years, but it is positive to see that lessons appear to have been learned.”