Seriously injured prop on the mend

GARETH NICOLLE will spend Christmas and, perhaps, many weeks in the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in London, but the news on the Guernsey first-team prop is encouraging. Nicolle suffered a serious neck injury playing against Tottonians last San SIAM WINNER: Gareth Nicolle celebrates April's famous win. (0194924)turday.

He was later moved from Southampton Gen-eral to the specialist hospital in the capital where he underwent a lengthy operation. Initial unconfirmed reports painted a terrible picture of his future health.

Details of his condition remain private but Andy Bailey, the Guernsey captain, visited him on Thursday along with club president Eifion Thomas and found his popular teammate sitting up in bed and in cheerful mood.

'To be completely honest we didn't know what to expect,' said Bailey.

'We still don't know everything yet, but it's incredibly encouraging.

'He was in unbelievable form.'

Nicolle was sitting up in bed and able to shake hands with his visitors. He also managed to shuffle a few steps.

'It's a marvellous recovery in four days and we hope it continues,' said Thomas, who admitted to apprehension having heard such a bad prognosis earlier in the week.

'He was in good spirits and joking with us,' added Thomas, who expects the player to remain in hospital for a long time.

'They are initially talking four to six months.'

The president revealed that initially Nicolle had lost all feeling in his hands and legs and warned: 'It's too early to be optimistic.'

Bailey and Thomas took with them a signed card from all his teammates and the club are already putting in place plans to raise funds to help the Nicolle family's costs of staying in London.

Bailey said to see his friend in much better shape than he expected was a great lift to him and all the team who had feared the worst.

Recalling the mood of last weekend, Bailey said: 'I don't think there are words than can describe it.

'Injuries like this are so incredibly rare and for it to happen to someone close to you, is devastating.'