STRICKEN Glenn Howes has revealed how everyday life has been turned upside-down since his non-league playing career was ended by an X-rated horror tackle.

The Poole Town midfielder sustained multiple injuries to his left leg when he was caught by Merthyr Town's Nathan Davies during a 2-2 draw in a Southern League match last month.

Although the tackle has drawn widespread condemnation, Howes has declined to comment publicly after confirming he was considering pursuing legal action against the south Wales club.

The 30-year-old, a leisure centre manager, has been unable to return to work since the incident and was told last week by a specialist that a playing comeback would be “near impossible”.

As a result, Howes, who was also told the injury was likely to impact on other areas of his life, reluctantly decided to bring to an end his 15-year career as a semi-professional.

Howes, who will spend at least another six to eight weeks in a full leg brace, has to sit with his left leg elevated virtually 24 hours a day and has suffered deep vein thrombosis and a blocked blood vessel.

Speaking to the Daily Echo, Howes said: “As soon as it happened, I knew I was in trouble because of the instability in my knee. Although I had prepared myself for a bit of bad news regarding the rehab and surgery, nothing prepares you for when someone says it will be near impossible to come back. I wasn't ready for that kind of news.

“It is a really complex injury and I am due to have another X-ray and scan at the end of April. There is a lot of muscle wastage and I can only flex my knee to around 45 per cent. Other than that, the joint is locked.

“As far as my movement patterns are concerned, I have got to be really careful. I have been told the possibility of osteoarthritis and arthritis in later life will increase 10-fold.

“I have always been an active person and my job involves health and fitness. I like surfing and golfing but I don't think I will be doing either for a very long time, if at all.

“The past five weeks have not been an awful lot of fun. I can't take anything for the DVT or the blocked blood vessel because there is still some internal bleeding in the knee joint.

“You lose you independence. I am not allowed to drive and am forever relying on other people for lifts. You take it for granted when you are fully mobile and think it will never happen to you.”

Howes, who was keen to thank his employers Mill Chase for their understanding, has been inundated with messages of support from players and clubs. He was in his second season with Poole and had also played for Gosport, Salisbury, Basingstoke, Dorchester, Farnborough and Newport.

“I have been overwhelmed,” he added. “I knew what Poole was all about as a club and what a community feel it had to it. But I have been blown away by the rest of the non-league fraternity. It has definitely lifted my spirits in the short term.”