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A RUGBY player who was hospitalised with an infection after dog poo got inside a cut on his leg has said: “You could stick a pin in there and I would not be able to feel it.”

Neil Baxter, 44, is the chairman of Mistley Rugby Club, which was founded by his dad in 1983, and also a tighthead prop with the first team.

He has played for the club for a staggering 37 years but last February his future on the pitch was thrown into doubt following what he first thought was a routine injury.

During a match again Shelford Rugby Club, Mr Baxter suffered a slight stud-inflicted graze to his right shin – something he has had “100 times before”.

Gazette:

Untroubled by the seemingly minor cut, he carried on playing, had his shower after the final whistle, and headed home like normal.

Before he knew it, however, his leg had ballooned to roughly 10cm bigger than his neighbouring limb and it was starting to burn up.

“I went to A&E at Colchester Hospital and they said I had an abscess just behind my shin bone, so they had to cut my leg open and flush it all out,” said Mr Baxter.

READ MORE: Council issues reminder for Mistley dog owners to clean up their pets

“They had to leave the wound open and pack it with loads of stuff, which they gradually removed over a three month period before gradually closing it up.

“I now cannot feel my calf from about two inches below my knee right to the bottom of the muscle – you could stick a pin in there I would not be able to feel it.

Gazette:

“I am back playing rugby now but I lost about 20 per cent of my muscle and I have a big dent in my leg now.”

After examining swabs of his wound, doctors discovered the infection contained traces of animal faeces which had got inside the cut during the match.

Mr Baxter, who is planning to retire at the end of this season due to his age, now fears some parents will be concerned about their children playing rugby.

He added: “I own two dogs and I would not leave poo anywhere – it is just the one per cent of owners responsible.

“What worries me more than anything is this becoming another barrier stopping people bringing their children to play rugby.

Gazette:

“Participation levels are down and this sort of stuff really does not help.

“Rugby is so great but we cannot show children that because their parents might now be worried about them getting dog poo in any cuts.”