RYAN MASON was not expected to survive the night after suffering the sickening head injury that forced him to quit football.
Rachel Peters – mum to the couple’s baby son – revealed doctors feared the worst after he fractured his skull in match.
She paid tribute to his bravery in a moving message on Instagram, writing: “Life doesn’t always go to plan, but you have to find the positives in a negative situation.
“You wasn’t expected to make it through the night, let alone walk or talk again and now look at you!!
“The truth is you are so lucky to be alive and healthy and it’s a blessing we now have a beautiful baby boy and you’re his absolute world 
“I’m so proud of how dignified, positive and strong you’ve been this past year you’re a true gentleman and professional!!
@rachelspeters
“You’ve achieved so much already, playing for your country and captaining your team, we are all so proud!!
“Your so loved by every one you meet because you are such a nice, genuine person. And I can’t wait for what’s next, I know you’ll be a success in whatever you do 
”
The ex-Tottenham midfielder was playing for Hull against Chelsea when the injury occurred.
He fractured his skull in a collision with Gary Cahill at the end of January 2017.
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Mason was taken to the acute trauma centre at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, where he received immediate treatment for a bleed on the brain
The player spent eight days in hospital following emergency surgery and after being released he slept for up to 20 hours a day for the first five weeks.
Mason revealed as recently as December that while he was physically ready, he was due to have another scan in January before he could step up his recovery.
He told Sky Sports: “Physically I’m fit.
“I’m just waiting for the skull to fuse together and heal. As soon as that happens, hopefully, I’m good to go and return to the pitch.
“I’m at the stage where it’s getting a little bit frustrating because I’ve been physically fit and ready to go for the last two or three months.
“The skull isn’t ready though and I have to respect that. It’s a bit of a waiting game at the moment but I’m optimistic I’ll be back playing soon.”
But this week he revealed he’d been told he had “no option” but to hang up his boots aged just 26 after medical advice.
He said: “I can confirm that following specialist medical advice I am having to retire from playing professional football.
“I have worked tirelessly in order to be able to return to the pitch. Unfortunately, having taken expert medical advice I now have no option but to retire due to the risks involved given the nature of my injury.
“I am and always will be eternally grateful for the incredible network of people around me who have helped me to recover from what was a life-threatening injury in January 2017.”