A TEENAGER whose hopes of a professional football career have been threatened by a rare disease has had his spirits lifted by Blackburn Rovers supremo Brian Kidd.

The Ewood Park manager made a surprise visit to the hospital bed of 15-year-old Neil Woloszczuk who is recovering in the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, at Pendlebury.

Neil, of St Helier Close, Livesey, Blackburn, has been diagnosed with Guillaine-Barre Syndrome - a condition which causes the nerves in the arms and legs to stop working.

The illness struck after he developed pains in his calves and within days could hardly walk.

But his recovery has been boosted by a surprise visit by Brian Kidd.

His dad, Andy, said: "When Brian walked in, Neil couldn't believe it. He was absolutely superb.

"He is a busy man and has a lot of other things to do, but he stayed for about half-an-hour and brought a few goodies.

"Neil is a member of the Junior Rovers and has been for quite a while and he has also been at the school of excellence at Blackburn. It really bucked him up."

Only around 1,500 people in the UK are affected by Guillaine-Barre Syndrome.

Neil, a pupil at St Wilfrid's High School, Blackburn, who was having trials for Oldham Football Club before he became ill, has regained some of the feeling in his legs, but doctors say it could be months or even years before he fully recovers. His parents, Andy and Rita, have been spending as much time at the hospital as they can.

Andy, 45, a technical manager, said his son started complaining of pains in his calves about seven weeks ago.

He went to see his doctor, who gave him anti-inflammatory tablets, but the pain did not go away and started to spread to his fingers. He saw the doctor again and was referred to Queen's Park Hospital, who then sent him to Manchester. Andy said: "They gave him some treatment and he started to get better, but within six days of finishing the treatment he ended up in intensive care. He was getting worse and needed help to breathe."

Andy said Neil, who has a 17-year-old brother, Nicholas, had always retained a bit of upper body movement, but it was only recently that movement in his lower body had started to return.

Andy praised the staff at the hospital for their support, but said very little was known about the disease so doctors could not say how long it would take for Neil to recover, although a full recovery was expected.

Neil's uncle Glyn Pickup, who is the twin brother of nursery nurse Rita, 43, flew in from his home in Sparta, Michigan, USA, especially to see him. Neil has stayed with Glyn and his family several times and they are very close.

Glyn was happy to help boost Neil's recovery as his own son, Robert, has a rare brain condition which causes seizures and has received great support from his relatives in Blackburn.

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