MATTY Johnson is determined to return to Radcliffe Borough before the end of the season after the on-loan Everton keeper suffered a double leg break in Saturday's game at home to Colne.

The 18-year-old went down midway through the first half after what manager Bill Prendergast described as an innocuous collision as he slid out to claim the ball.

But the coming together left him with a compound fracture of the tibia and fibula.

Johnson had a rod and two pins inserted in a successful operation at North Manchester General Hospital and expects to meet with the Goodison physios next week to discuss his rehabilitation.

The Maghull-born keeper had proved a big hit at Boro since signing in the summer, winning the player of the month award in September after making his first move away from the Everton youth set-up.

And he admits he would love to return to Taurus Park.

"I would like to thank all of the medical staff for getting me through it," said Johnson, who had only just returned to action after spending eight months out with a stress fracture of his back.

"Their reaction helped keep me calm – if they were horrified by what they saw it didn't show, they just reassured me I would be okay and would be able to bounce back.

"I don't have a plaster, just bandaging, which is good as I should be able to start putting weight on it by next week.

"My recovery will be done at Everton and I should be going down there within the week to talk to the physio.

"I have to see where I go from there, but the hope is I will be back running within six months.

"I am devastated. I was really enjoying playing at Boro, the team was really starting to gel and the gaffer, Bill, and all the coaches have been brilliant.

"It's gutting, especially after what happened with the injury last season.

"All I can do is stay positive and maybe get back involved at Boro before the end of the season."

The match against Colne was abandoned following Johnson's injury and Prendergast faced a race against time to sign a new keeper in time for Tuesday night's game at home to Hyde United.

Huddersfield came to his aid, allowing 18-year-old youth keeper Tadhg Ryan to join on a month's loan, and he featured in a 4-0 victory.

"This is our second bad injury of the season," said Prendergast.

"I said to the lads, all these little bumps you suffer along the road make us stronger.

"It was an innocuous challenge really. Matty came out to claim the ball and he just twisted as he slid and collided with their player.

"I don't think Matty realised straight away as he tried to stand up but then collapsed to the floor, signalled to the bench and pointed at his leg.

"It was obviously a hard week for everyone, but I think it really galvanised the players and on Tuesday night they put in a really special performance."

A double from Raul Correia and goals from Abou Sanogo and Conor Ready helped move Boro up to 12th in Evo-Stik First Division North.

"I rang Matty after the match and he was over the moon," added Prendergast.

"That's the kind of guy he is and I hope he can make it back here to Boro."