A DREAM of playing football again has come true for a Ramsbottom United player who was left in a coma following a brutal attack.

Winger Matthew Edgington, 25, marked his return to action with a winning goal from the penalty spot in a friendly.

It was a moment his family and friends thought they would never see after he suffered a fractured skull and fractured cheekbone during an incident outside the Panacea nightclub in Manchester on November 29.

But now, he has returned home from Salford Royal Hospital and is also visiting the gym to build up his stamina.

His dad John said Matthew, known as Edgy, was making good progress on the road to recovery.

“He is not yet ready for full-on footy and he has realised that himself,” he said.

“He will keep training with the squad and hopefully later in the season we will be able to watch him strutting his stuff.

“I am confident we will get to that point in the coming months and we are grateful to the managers for letting him have a run out.

“With time and some help, there is every change that Matt will be able to lead a normal life.”

Rams manager Bernard Morley said: “It has been harrowing but to see Matt back on the field was another massive boost.”