Danny Hodgson – who was left with severe brain injuries after an attack in Australia earlier this year – will be spending time with his family at Christmas.
Danny was put in an induced coma in hospital in Perth and underwent emergency surgery after the attack.
His parents Nicola and Peter, of Cleator Moor, flew out to be with their son, a former Carlisle United Youth player.
They released this statement: “Seventeen weeks ago we began an unimaginable journey that no family should ever have to take.
“Our son, brother, nephew, grandson and boyfriend, Danny Hodgson, was struck down in an unprovoked act of violence, and in the blink of an eye our lives changed forever.
“While every minute of every hour of every day of the past 17 weeks has been uncertain, we have always known two important things.
“Danny is a fighter, and we would walk this journey together.Today, Danny is preparing to leave hospital for a very short time with his beautiful Jess at his side to be part of our family Christmas.
“Our heartfelt appreciation goes to the medical and rehabilitation staff at Fiona Stanley Hospital who have helped to make this possible.
“Danny’s home visit is the most perfect gift we could ask for and all the proof we need that Christmas miracles do happen.
“Merry Christmas from the Hodgson family.”
Danny has plied his trade as a striker in both England and Australia, playing for Windscale and Cleator Moor Celtic football clubs as a youngster before moving to Carlisle in his teens to play for The Blues.
Danny moved to Australia when he was 18 to continue his football career.
