For the first time ever, Ryan Mason has shared an image of the shocking scar on one side of his head following a sickening clash of heads with Gary Cahill just under a year ago.
During the game at Stamford Bridge, which Chelsea won 2-0 to go eight points clear at the top, Mason was involved in a sickening collision with the Blues centre-back and was forced off on a stretcher wearing an oxygen mask.
Image: PA
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It soon emerge that the former Spurs midfielder had suffered a fractured skull and was rushed to St Mary's hospital in London for emergency surgery.
Mason has yet to return to the pitch since the devastating injury but ended 2017 on a high when he welcomed the birth of his son, George.
Complete with the two images showing how he started and ended the year, the 26-year old posted a message about the difficult year he had, vowing to come back stronger.
Mason, a club-record signing for Hull in 2016, is still contracted with the Tigers but hasn't made any appearances this season as he recovers from the blow.
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Immediately after the accident, Mason received words of encouragement from Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech, who sports a head guard after he suffered the same injury in 2006 during a clash with Reading's Stephen Hunt.
Image: PA
The Czech Republic international proved what a top bloke he is and it was thoroughly appreciated by Mason.
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"I can't speak highly enough of him as a person, as a man," he told TalkSPORT, via Balls.
"Straight away, he contacted my family, my fiance and just sort of reassured us that what we were going through was sort of normal and to be expected: not being able to talk, struggling with the light and everything like that.
"As soon as I got a bit more strength I was keen to see him because he said 'as soon as you're ready, I'd like to come round and speak to you'."
"He walked through the door and sat on my sofa and just said: 'sit back, don't say anything, just listen'.
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"He spoke for about an hour and a half. I didn't say anything, he just spoke. It was brilliant.
"It just reassured us that everything we were going through was part of the process of recovery and we've been in touch ever since.
"He's been fantastic. He's kind of set the standard of what it is to be a proper man and a gentleman."
We really hope to see Mason back on a football pitch in 2018.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Football, Gary Cahill, Hull City
