A DAD from Essex faces the prospect of never being able to walk unaided again after being kicked in the leg while playing football.

Dale Elliott, a 37-year-old dad-of-two, was playing football in Rayleigh on October 30, when he was kicked in the left leg trying to shield the ball.

Despite playing on, later that day and during the night Dale was left in excruciating pain.

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He took himself to Southend Hospital, where he was later diagnosed with the heartbreaking news he had compartment syndrome. This is where pressure within a part of the body increases and restricts blood flow.

At first there were fears Dale would lose his leg, but nine operations later, he is starting to make small progress.

Now the dad, who is married to Steph, faces a huge life change once he is out of hospital.

Dale, who works as a builder, told the Echo: “I will always need assistance now, and I probably won’t ever walk again unaided.

“It has changed my life, but until I leave the hospital and get home I don’t think it will hit home.

“My wife, bless her, is worried and exhausted; she is going through hell herself.

“My kids want to know when their daddy is coming home, it is devastating.”

He added: “I was a very active dad, playing football, jumping around with the kids, a builder... all of that will change.

“It hurts for me and hurts more because of all the things I use to do for the kids. All things that were easy will be huge now.

“I never thought in a million years that one small kick would turn into this.”

Dale said the pain was “so bad” and wants to share his story to explain the seriousness of compartment syndrome. 

When he arrived at Southend Hospital A&E, to Dale's frustration and anger said he was sent to the minor injuries unit, where he waited for seven hours, before being sent back to A&E and waiting a further six hours.

A spokesman for Southend Hospital said: “No care concerns or issues have been raised by the family or the patient, but if they would like to discuss any issues regarding care, they can talk to ward staff, the Patient Advice and Liaison Service or the complaints team, and their concerns will then be fully looked into.”