ROB Dean says he’s been blown away by the volume of supportive messages he’s received since suffering his horrific knee injury in last week’s abandoned clash with Hungerford Town.

The Chippenham Town midfielder was due to go under the knife yesterday to begin repairing the damage sustained from the dislocated knee he suffered in the Calor League Southern Premier Division clash last Tuesday.

Dean revealed Hungerford’s former Bluebirds midfielder Ian Herring and manager Bobby Wilkinson had already lent their support, along with his own club.

The 24-year-old, who lives in Swindon and works for Nationwide, spent a week at Swindon’s Great Western Hospital before returning for surgery today, and said: “It’s one of those things that you never really expect to happen to you but it does happen once in a blue moon.

“It’s a bit of a blur. I remember his (Herring’s) weight crashing into my leg and then just the pain of it.

“A few of the lads like Griff (Alan Griffin) and Tinds (Greg Tindle) were down there with me and after the paramedics got me on the gas, I don’t remember much more.

“(Herring) texted me the day after the game to say ‘I hope you get better soon’ – I don’t think that he went in to do me and it’s just one of those things.

“The Hungerford manager rang me and offered me one of the physios from Reading that he knows to help with my rehab and said he’d pop in to see me, which is nice of him.

“Mark (Collier, Chippenham manager) and Tom (Jones, assistant) and a few of the players have come to visit me, as well as well some of the directors like Doug and Sandie Webb, and I’ve had so many messages since it happened.

“It’s a bit overwhelming really but those messages help get you through it really.”

Herring, who confirmed he would be appealing his sending off in the wake of the challenge, said: “I want to wish Rob a quick and full recovery.”

Dean meanwhile, faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines but is remaining upbeat.

He said: “I’ve torn all four ligaments around me knee so that’s basically why it’s a reconstruction.

“Chris Taylor, who I used to play with at (Swindon) Supermarine, came in to see me because he had a similar injury where he tore three ligaments and tore his hamstring from the bone.

“He told me all about what to expect with the rehab – he was out for 13 months.

“I’ll be out for a long time but as soon as I get back home properly, I can start thinking about getting better.”

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