The She Kicks Locker Room: On The Treatment Table (Laura Wareham)

Newcastle United goalkeeper Laura Wareham, who broke her neck in 2011 and suffered a second serious neck injury in November, describes a recovery still without a final diagnosis: she was awaiting MRI results at the time of the interview. The injury came in a routine one-against-one save against Bradford when she, her own defender Kate Brooks and the opposing striker all collided. Feeling pain only in her ribs, she played on after treatment until she had to kick the ball, and realised the extent only at half-time when she collapsed and lost consciousness walking to the changing room. Two months on, wearing a neck brace, she has returned to university and the gym, and dismisses the many people urging her not to play again.