An Epsom football club are hosting a charity match to raise money for a former player who was injured in a freak injury.

AFC Ewell will host Merton Social at Meadowbank football ground to raise money for Chris Keogh, 27, to try and raise funds for a custom-made wheelchair.

Chris was injured in a game against Merton Social, when he went up for a header and hurt his neck.

After six hours of surgery and eight days in intensive care, doctors told Chris may never walk again.

He said on his go fund me page: “Whilst this came as devastating news, the support that I’ve had from my family, friends and the footballing community has helped turn tears of misery into joy when I needed it the most. Mentally I’m doing well and are prepared for whatever the future holds.”

Chris has ambitions to win gold at the 2024 Paralympics. He has received support from hundreds of people, including some in the professional game such as Jose Mourinho, Eden Hazard and Xavi.

Chris was a striker at AFC Ewell, his team for six years, but dislocated his neck in three places after the freak accident on Saturday, April 14.

“The surgeon told me he’d never seen this type of injury from football before,” said Chris.

“The ball bounced up in the air, I went up to head it like I’d done so many times before, but I ended up on the ground and my body went into pins and needles all over.

“I couldn’t feel the lower half of my body.”

The hashtag #CK2024 on Chris’s go fund me page, which references his ambition to compete in the 2024 Paralympics, was set up following the accident and has so far raised £34,985.

The game will kick off at 2.00 pm on Sunday, August 12.