Wigan Athletic striker Charlie Wyke has made a welcome return to action eight months after suffering a cardiac arrest.
It was last November when the 29-year-old was rushed to hospital after collapsing during a training session. He was immediately attended to by Latics' boss Leam Richardson and club doctor Jonathan Tobin, before being rushed to the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary in Wigan and later transferred to the Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital.
Thankfully, after months of rest, recovery and rehab Wyke is now back on the mend and a big part of his comeback came on Tuesday when he started Wigan's pre-season friendly clash away at non-league side Bamber Bridge.
Wyke played the opening 45 minutes of a game Richardson's side won 5-1. After the match Wyke took to social media to thank all his well-wishers.
He wrote on Instagram : "What a feeling to be back on a football pitch. I never thought I would get the chance to play again and it’s been incredibly tough but to be back out there with the lads after 8 months is a amazing feeling! Still a way to go yet but another step in the right direction & looking forward to getting fitter and stronger over the next few weeks ready for the start of the season. Thank you to everyone who has helped me get this far & thank you for all the messages they really mean a lot."
Following the incident last November, Wyke had months of recovery before he issued a message to Wigan fans in March.
In it he targeted a pre-season return and said Christian Eriksen served as an inspiration to him following the Dane's similar experience of returning to playing after suffering a heart attack. Wyke said: "I am in a good place both mentally and physically and I’m really positive about what the future holds. I’ve felt really good and have rebuilt a lot of my physical strength, which has been reassuring. In the next couple of weeks, I will undergo a planned medical procedure which requires a period of rest before I can restart training towards full fitness again.
"This does effectively rule out a return to playing this season, though it keeps me on target to hit my goal of being fully fit to start pre-season with the squad. Like everyone, I was delighted and inspired to see Christian Eriksen return to play for Brentford in the Premier League this weekend, eight months on from his collapse at the Euros. The last thing for me to say is that I wish the lads, the staff and supporters the very best for the rest of the season and thank you for your continued support and well wishes.”
Wigan would ultimately end up winning the League One title to clinch a Championship return after two years away. Wyke will be hoping to be in the squad for their first game, at home to Preston on July 30.
