A FOOTBALL-MAD soldier has spoken about losing both his legs in an explosion in Afghanistan.

Jack Cummings will be Oxford United’s guest of honour on Saturday at the club’s Military Day for the visit of Hereford United.

Hereford is the home of the SAS special forces regiment.

The 22-year-old, from Didcot, spent five-and-a-half months recovering in hospital after being caught in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast on August 14 last year.

He said: “It’s unfortunate it happened, but it has happened and there’s nothing I can do about it, so I have to keep positive and keep looking forward.

“I was out on patrol and just remember a bang. As I was injured, I was slipping in and out of consciousness and can even remember talking to some of my mates while I was lying there, although it was all a bit hazy.

“Then I remember nothing more until a month later, when I woke up in hospital back in England.”

Mr Cummings, a sapper with 101 Engineer Regiment, which specialises in bomb disposal, lost both legs above the knee and suffered serious injuries to his left hand.

He recently moved to the Headley Court military hospital in Surrey for an intensive programme of therapy and rehabilitation.

He said: “The welfare and support I have received has been amazing.

“My parents Andy and Mary and sister Annie came and stayed with me the whole time I was being treated in Birmingham and have been an immense support for me.”

The Oxford United fan was away on duty when the team won promotion back to the Football League at Wembley in May, but was kept up to date with their fortunes by his girlfriend, who sent him cuttings from the Oxford Mail.

He added: “There’s always great banter with the lads over football and lots of rivalry. Unfortunately, there was even a Swindon fan out there with me in Afghanistan.

“We all wanted to know the results and missed being at the games.”

Following months of treatment, Jack has now been declared fit enough to leave the hospital to attend Saturday’s match.

He said: “I’ll soon be learning to walk again with artificial limbs. They’re small ones to start off with and then you progress the larger ones.

“To start with I’ll just be quite a bit smaller than I was.

“I’m really looking forward to Saturday and watching the lads get three points.

“They’ve done really well in their first season back in the Football League. I’ll have my fingers crossed for the right result.

“I would cross my toes, but I don’t have any left.

“When I get back home to Didcot, one of the first things I’ll be doing is getting a season ticket to watch every home game.”

United chairman Kelvin Thomas said: “We want to pay tribute to all our armed forces and recognise their service to the country.

“Holding a Military Day is our way of doing just that.

“We look forward to welcoming Jack to the stadium as our guest of honour, as we know how much the club means to him.”