RYAN MASON insists will WILL make a return to football – but only once his fractured skull has healed properly.
England midfielder Mason has not played for eight months since his life-threatening injury suffered in a sickening clash of heads with Chelsea defender Gary Cahill.
But the Hull star says he is determined to make a return to top level football once specialists have told him his skull is strong enough to cope.
Mason, 26, has revealed the bone in his head is still fusing together and it will take more time before he is allowed to return.
Speaking on Sky Sports’ The Debate, Mason said: “Physically I’m completely fine, but my skull still needs to do a little bit of healing. It’s not fully fused together yet.
“But when that day comes hopefully I’m in the physical condition to go straight back in.
“Mentally I’m in a positive place. I’ve had three to four months to fully focus on my body and make myself a better player for when I do come back.
“Right now I’m just waiting. It’s a bit of patience and the club have been great, the chairman’s been good.
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“They are fully backing me and hopefully once it’s fused together fine there won’t be any problems.”
Having suffered such a dangerous injury, Mason is aware he will need to take precautions to ensure there is not a repeat when he does make his comeback.
So he and Hull are already working with specialists to design a skull cap to wear in matches, similar to the one worn by Arsenal keeper Petr Cech.
The former Tottenham midfielder added: “The doctor at the club and the chairman are seeking some advice.
“We are in the process of getting something made so I think that will probably be the sensible thing to do.
“I’m not going to play again unless it heals. It is healing and it will heal.
“So when it does heel I’ll have that added protection, for my family’s sake as well, for their piece of mind.”