Vermiglio wants to be one of the lads

Broken back victim Jamie Vermiglio has signalled his desire to resume a key role at AFC Telford United, telling fans: "Treat me like any other player."

The midfielder's career looked to be over last February when he was diagnosed with a stress fracture of the back and a slipped disc – and warned he risked paralysis by continuing.

But a second medical opinion told him the injury was not in a load-bearing part of his spine and he returned to action following an epidural injection to help him deal with the pain.

Now he is looking to get a full pre-season under his belt and prove he is fit enough to be a regular fixture in boss Rob Smith's starting XI.

"I don't want people to keep pestering me about my back," he insisted. "I just want to get on with it and do what everyone else is doing.

"I want to be judged on my performances like all the other players. I'm confident in my ability and I can't wait for the season to start.

"A few of the lads were groaning that we were back in training already, but I was raring to go – I just want the games to start now so we can get the buzz going in the changing room."

School teacher Vermiglio admits he does sometimes feel the effects of his back problems, but insists he can cope.

He has worked hard in his own time during the close season to improve his fitness and says the pain is nowhere near as bad as when the injury was first diagnosed.

"When I've been stood up for a long period – like after a day at school – then it does get sore when I get home at night," he said.

"In that respect, I know the problem's not entirely gone, but I can do exercises to loosen it up and the pain is nowhere near as much as it used to be.

"There's a chance I might need another injection in a few months but I would say I'm 70 per cent better now."

• Record signing Lee Moore has joined newly-promoted Southern League premier division side Nuneaton Town.

By CHRIS HUDSON