ROVERS striker Matt Jansen has admitted specialists feared he would never play again when they initially examined him after his accident during a holiday to Rome this summer.

The 24-year-old spent 10 days in hospital after suffering head injuries and a cut above the eye when his moped was involved in a collision with a taxi.

Thankfully, however, Rovers leading scorer for the last two seasons is now well on the road to recovery after the club's medical staff have carefully nursed him back to full fitness.

And, following a visit to a neurosurgeon in Liverpool earlier this week, he has now targeted the end of October for a first team return - which would see him back in action a full two months ahead of schedule.

"It took me four weeks to snap out of it and realise I must have been in an accident," revealed Jansen.

"I wasn't in horrific pain but my chest was sore and I had a few bruised bones.

"I'd sleep for about 20 hours a day and was only half awake for the rest of the time.

"The doctors told me I was lucky and said it would take time but I have made better progress than they thought."