LEICESTER’S injured American star Luke Becker is now back on his feet after suffering multiple back injuries in a crash in Poland last weekend.
Becker faces a lengthy period on the sidelines but has described himself as “super lucky” given that there could have been life-changing consequences from the accident.
He has retuned home to Lodz and is ready to commence an intensive period of rehabilitation and physiotherapy, although at this stage it is too early to set a target date for a racing comeback.
Leicester have maintained contact with Becker since the accident, with team-mates and management sending messages of support.
And he admits his mood was brightened by news of the Watling JCB Lions’ excellent home win over Sheffield last week, which came at a time when he was unable to move or lift his neck.
Becker said: “I broke my T3, T5 and T7 vertebrae in my back and had surgery where they put in two rods and eight screws to stabilize the fractures.
“One of the vertebrae was broken a lot worse than the others and had shifted super-close to touching my spinal cord, and if this had happened it could have been game over.
“Thank God this wasn’t the case and I am super lucky!
“It’s hard to put an exact timeframe when I’ll be back on the bike, but I will be starting rehab on Monday with all the necessary physio and doing everything I possibly can to heal and be strong again as soon as possible.
“A big thank you to my team, sponsors and everyone behind me during these tough times.
“I saw the results last Tuesday morning and I was stoked to see the boys’ win against Sheffield!”
Lions will be keeping closely in touch with Becker over the coming weeks, and whilst the recovery from an injury such as this is a complex one, we know how determined he will be to get back to racing as soon as he can.
Meanwhile the team are preparing for a big home clash with ROWE Motor Oil Premiership champions Belle Vue at the Hydroscand Arena, Beaumont Park on Thursday (7.30pm).
