BLACKBURN Rovers star Matt Jansen today spoke of his joy over his engagement to the 'fantastic' girl who helped rebuild his life.

Lucy Corner, 22, was Matt's pillion passenger when their scooter was hit by a taxi in Rome last June.

The striker, who had been on the verge of an England call-up, suffered severe head injuries and was in a coma for four days.

The accident almost killed him. But Lucy, of Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, comforted him through the severe depression he suffered after the smash.

Now, Matt has popped the question. The couple, who have been together for just less than a year, have yet to set a date but look likely to marry next summer in Lincolnshire. Matt, 25, currently on loan at Coventry City to help regain his match sharpness, said: "Lucy has been absolutely fantastic.

"She's been there for me all the way and supported me when I've been bawling my eyes out.

"There has been a lot of depression and it's been one hell of a rollercoaster for me in the last few months.

"After the accident I had problems with co-ordination. But everyone at the club, my girlfriend and my mum and dad have been so supportive."

Ring and a rose for Lucy as fate brings pair close

THE hand of fate played a big part in making sure the happy couple met.

Lucy, who graduated from Manchester University last summer with an honours degree in Italian and Spanish, had just returned from a year in Italy when she met Matt.

They were living in the same apartment block in Manchester, where they bumped into each other.

Their paths crossed once again when Lucy went to a Manchester United versus Blackburn game at Old Trafford with her family -- all big Manchester United fans -- and again caught Matt's eye.

Matt played up front in the 2-1 defeat at the end of last season, memorable because it heralded the return of Andy Cole to United.

But their first proper date saw Matt invite Lucy to join him at a concert by Canadian rocker Bryan Adams.

And determined to do things just right after realising Lucy was the woman he wanted to marry, the footballer got engaged in traditional fashion, meeting her parents for lunch the day before asking her dad's permission for her hand in marriage.

When Matt asked her to marry him he romantically gave her a white gold and diamond engagement ring, along with a rose and a cappuccino.

Matt's mother, Judith, of Wetheral, near Carlisle, was thrilled at the news.

She said: "We are absolutely delighted Matt and Lucy are to get married. He's our last child to get married.

"I know that they had been talking about tying the knot for a while and Lucy is such a lovely woman.

"She's vivacious and charming. She's a very friendly person and the rest of the children all like her very much.

"They make a really lovely couple."