"I'M counting the days until I can come home."

Those were the heartfelt words of Luke Bryan after being told he may finally be able to leave the Spinal Unit of Southport Hospital next month.

The courageous 18-year-old, from Haydock, has been a patient at the unit since suffering a freak injury while playing amateur rugby league 18 months ago.

Luke, from Clipsley Lane, was an up-and-coming star with Haydock under 16s, when a tackle in a match against Folly Lane from Swinton left him paralysed from the neck down.

In an excklusive interview with me, the plucky teenager spoke of his time in hospital and his hopes for the future which centre around his dream to return home.

He said: "I haven't visited home because it would upset me to have to come back here again. I have made loads of friends, not just with the other patients but with the doctors and nurses as well since coming here, but it is no substitute for my own home." Luke is now improving with every day, but when he entered hospital, his condition was very different.

"I had a leaking ulcer and my weight went down to six stone. The doctors wanted to implant a clip in my stomach to make sure I didn't lose any more weight."

They decided against this drastic course of action and Luke is now a healthier nine stone and feeling much more positive about his future.

He said: "I don't believe in feeling sorry for myself - I would rather just get on with things I can do. And I get a lot of support from my family and friends who are always cheering me up with their visits."

Mum, Christine who, with husband Paul and Luke's younger brother and sister, Matthew and Sally, visit daily, added: "Luke hates a lot of fuss but since the accident, we tell him there is nothing he can't do if he really wants to. Even if it's something like swimming, we will help him do it - it might not be easy and it would certainly be different but if that is what he wanted to do, we would help him. "His friends have also been wonderful, taking him on days out or to rugby matches. And we have had a lot of support from all the rugby teams including Saints and Wigan and he recently got a get-well card from one of his heroes, Martin Offiah which he was really chuffed with."

A former Carmel College student, Luke is now having regular lessons with Steve Pegg, his college maths lecturer and hopes to return to his A-level studies at the college when he leaves hospital. "I was studying maths, business studies and physics before but I am planning to start off with just the maths for now and Steve has been keeping my brain exercised."

When Luke does get home he can expect round-the-clock 24 hour care from a 10-strong team of carers provided by St Helens Council.

Christine added: "The house is a right mess at the moment because it is being made accessible for Luke with walls being knocked out and ramps and hoists fitted. Luke will be having his own 'flat' within the house made up of three rooms with the walls knocked out and now that we have been given a date when he can come home, it's panic stations making sure everything is finished on time.

"Everyone has been wonderful though, particularly the neighbours and members of Haydock rugby club. Every time I mention that something needs doing, I get about 50 volunteers offering to help out. We are also extremely grateful to the members of the Luke Bryan Fund who have done so much.."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.