MIRACLE boy Matthew Sherlock says he can't wait to play football again, just three weeks after the horrific road accident which almost cost him his life. And it has been revealed that Matthew was brought round, when all hope seemed to be fading, by his dad tickling his feet. Matthew, aged 14, of Crompton Way, Bolton, was in a coma for four days following the accident on March 6 when he was involved in collision with a car as he tried to cross a contra-flow at Moss Bank Way.

His distraught mum and dad, Lynn and Nigel, feared the worst as their son lay motionless in the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Pendlebury, suffering from severe head injuries.

His mother was at his bedside in a round-the-clock vigil while he was unconscious and his friends visited him regularly.

Matthew, an avid Manchester United fan, would not respond to any stimulation and his soccer idols from United compiled a tape which was played to him.

Matthew eventually woke up when his dad tickled his feet. And in the days that followed was only able to communicate by shaking his head and giving the thumbs up sign.

But now, just three weeks later, the Sharples School pupil and BEN paper boy is back home and well on the road to making a full recovery.

He has been seen by four doctors who all say he is extremely lucky to have survived the accident.

Matthew is still weak and receiving physiotherapy treatment but is eager to resume his active lifestyle.

He said: "I play football when I can and I will be glad to get back to playing again. I can't remember anything about the accident. All I know is that I was hit by a car." It is believed Matthew was protected from serious injury to the rest of his body because of a padded motorbike jacket he was wearing. Miraculously he had no broken bones.

Mum Lynn said: "I never left his side. I sat there all night. I didn't eat anything because I didn't want to leave his side.

"I feared the worst because he was in such a bad way and I was so relieved when he finally came round. I think he has recovered so well because he is so strong-willed and determined."

It is hoped Matthew will return to school after the Easter holiday.

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