Former Manchester City captain Andy Morrison has given an encouraging update on his health following his battle with devastating neurological condition Ramsay Hunt Syndrome.
Morrison, 56, revealed in a heartbreaking video online earlier this year that he was battling the condition as he vowed to fight the disorder.
In May, he appeared in good spirits as he explained his symptoms and detailed how his recovery was going to take ‘a long, long time’.
Now, however, in a new video, Morrison appeared to be much further down his road to recovery as he revealed he has returned to commentary work.
‘Evening everyone,’ he began after work covering City’s pre-season defeat by Inter Milan. ‘Just a quick update after the first day back working at City with the matchday live team, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
‘It was fantastic to be back. Felt the voice was strong enough to go back and do co-commentary today. That’s my first time back in five-and-a-half months. I really appreciate all the support and working with Ali Mann, who makes it very easy.
Former Manchester City captain Andy Morrison has given fans an update on his battle with a devastating neurological condition. Left: pictured this week, right: pictured in May
The former defender previously revealed that it will take him a year to fully recover
‘An enjoyable game. I struggled with a few words, a few names, but nothing too bad. I did struggle with (Ryan) McAidoo. Could have a player there by the way, watch this space. There was enough there to think he could be the next one on the conveyor belt, hugely impressive in the second-half.
‘Birthday yesterday, that was a great day with grandkids and family. I had a specialist on Wednesday and it was really positive, he was really delighted and amazed at the progress I had made, from House-Brackmann (nerve grading scale) six to a four and he is really positive that within a year I’ll get my eye back and be able to blink, so I won’t have to tape it down at night.
‘I still have to take juice to swallow and I have no taste in the side of my mouth and the whole side of the face is numb, so I have to drink through a straw still. He wasn’t sure just how much that would progress because it’s still really weak. But if sucking through a straw is worst case scenario then so be it. I won’t be posting now because I won’t see a specialist for another three months.
‘A really good day and it just felt great to be back doing something when that seemed a million miles away. I didn’t get out of bed for four weeks and couldn’t speak for a month. I had some really dark days in this conservatory but I stayed positive and this too shall pass, everything passes, good or bad, everything comes and goes and sometimes you just have to dig in and get through it. But thanks for listening and see you all soon.’
Morrison made 47 appearances for Manchester City after joining from Huddersfield Town in 1998.
He helped guide the club to the old Division One via the play-offs in 1998-99 before winning promotion to the Premiership the following season.
Voted as Man City’s third best captain ever in their official magazine, the Scot was named as a club ambassador in 2013.
Ramsay Hunt Syndrome is caused by a virus in the facial nerve and can lead to ipsilateral face paralysis, blistering rashes near the ear, severe earache and hearing loss.
