Ryan Mason says he's 'lucky to be alive' in first statement since hospital discharge after suffering fractured skull in clash with Chelsea

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Ryan Mason has said he feels lucky to be alive following the skull fracture he suffered against Chelsea 10 days ago.

The Hull City midfielder returned home from St Mary’s Hospital in London on Monday after his horrific clash of heads with Chelsea defender Gary Cahill on January 22.

Mason's statement is his first communication since the incident and he took the opportunity to thank all involved in helping him through the 'traumatic experience'.

Ryan Mason (centre) suffered a fractured skull after clashing heads with Chelsea's Gary Cahill

The 25-year-old Hull midfielder posted this picture on Instagram alongside the statement

He said: 'I would like to thank everyone for the overwhelming support that has been shown to both me and my entire family over the past week or so.

'It has been an emotional rollercoaster and I feel lucky to be alive, but I'm happy to say that I am now at home resting.

'My fiance and family have read so many messages of support to me over the past week. To have had so many people send messages to me, including from fellow players, clubs (in particular the support shown to me from both Hull City and Tottenham Hotspur), so many fans as well as the support I have received from the general public around the world has been completely overwhelming.

'Each and every message of support really has given me strength and I cannot tell you how much it means to me.

Mason suffered a skull fracture and was admitted to St Mary's Hospital in London 

'The love and support my Mum, Dad, sisters, fiancé Rachel and all of my friends and family have shown to me during what has been an extremely traumatic time for all involved has been incredible and I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart for being there thoughout.

'Finally, I would like to say a special thank you to all of the medical staff at Hull, as well as the medical team at Chelsea and of the fantastic treatment and support I have received from all during my stay at St. Mary's Hospital.

'I will now be taking each day as it comes and concentrating on my recovery.'

Upon his release on Monday, Hull club doctor Mark Waller hailed the 'overwhelming show of support' from the football family while offering personal thanks to two consultants who were key to Mason's recovery. 

Mason was carried off on a stretcher after receiving treatment and oxygen on the pitch

Julian Redhead and Kevin Tsang were named and praised for their 'calmness and professional manner' in dealing with the injury.

In a statement Dr Waller said: 'The number of messages offering support during Ryan's recovery has been quite overwhelming.

'It is certainly true to say that the football family rallies around at times like this and we would like to thank everybody that has been in contact with us in recent days.

'We would also like to say a special 'thank you' to Julian Redhead and Kevin Tsang, two consultants who have been instrumental in Ryan's recovery to this point. Their calmness and professional manner enabled us all to have absolute confidence that Ryan was in good hands.

'A&E departments in many towns and cities nationwide have had some criticism recently but I have nothing but admiration for all of the staff who cared for us last Sunday.' 

Eight days after his horrific injury, Mason, 25, has been allowed to return home 

Dr Waller and Hull's first-team physio Alan Peacham have been widely praised for their care from the moment they entered the pitch nine minutes into the game at Stamford Bridge.

Mason's sickening injury grabbed the attention of the wider footballing community, gathering goodwill wishes as he recovered in hospital.

The midfielder had been visited by players and staff from Chelsea, Hull and former club Tottenham in the past week while the messages of support flooded in.

Hull had reported Mason was in a stable condition after surgery in the hours following their Premier League defeat at Stamford Bridge on January 22.

He was sitting up and laughing with team-mate Michael Dawson, joking about 'an awful headache' but had to stay in hospital while his recovery was monitored.