Jamie Brooks has returned to The Kassam Stadium as a player for the first time since his terrifying illness to give everyone at Oxford United a boost.

Jamie BrooksThe 19-year-old striker returned from his holiday to start rehabilitation work at the club under the supervision of sports therapist Neil Sulivan.

It was last April that Brooks developed Guillain-Barre Syndrome, an illness which attacks the peripheral nerve endings, and he spent nearly all of the summer in hospital.

In a vivid account of the darkest days, Jamie revealed in the Oxford Mail last month how the illness had almost cost him his life "on several occasions."

On his way to what doctors are sure will be a full recovery, he has twice been back to watch United home games, but yesterday was the first time he returned the club on a normal working day to mix with his teammates.

"It's great to be back with the players and everybody," he told the club's website. "I had a good holiday, feel a lot better, and I really feel I'm making progress."

United manager Ian Atkins said: "Since his illness, I think we have all had a slightly different perspective on life, and it has been a great boost for Jamie to be involved once again with the players and mixing with the squad.

"He gets stronger every week and it's tremendous to have him back with us."

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