PFA aids crocked Lynn defender

The Professional Footballers Association have stepped in to help King's Lynn Town's Stuart Wall speed up his recovery from long-term injury.

The former Coventry and Peterborugh defender has been out since rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during pre-season at the Evo-Stik NPL First Division South Linnets but can start planning his return after the PFA agreed to help with his medical costs.

Lynn’s Player and Players’ Player of last season will now undergo surgery at the start of January and expects to playing again by next season. He was injured playing against Wisbech back in July but didn't realise how badly until he collapsed during the warm-up before a game against Soham Town days later.

Wall, 25,told the Eastern Daily Press: "I was absolutely ecstatic when I got the news that the PFA had agreed to help. It’s taken a little while to get sorted, because they’ve had to go through the appropriate avenues, but I can’t thank them enough. They’ve been top-drawer and will even help with my rehab.

"I can see a way back into the game again now. I’ve felt like I’ve been fighting a losing battle. But now I can finally see some light at the end of the tunnel.

"I ended my first season on the up, winning personal awards, and I’d gone into pre-season on a high. It’s been massively frustrating since and hard to watch games. I’ve wanted to be part of the success. I’ve felt out of the loop.

"Now I just need to be patient and not too eager to come back. It’s good to finally start thinking about playing football again."

Setchell is delighted for his centre-half. The Linnets manager told the paper's website: "The PFA is a great organisation – one of the best in the world. It helps players past and present and they’re really helping to speed up Stuart’s recovery.

"It’s a tough one. The club can’t go out and pay for the operation as you might get three of them a season. They’re not cheap. So I’m delighted for him. He’s one of the nicest blokes you could ever meet.

"Now, for the first time, you can hear a real spring in his voice. It’s great he’s got something to aim for. He’ll be back in contention for next season. It’s a massive boost for him, for me, and the club."