Ryan Mason Reveals How 'Gentleman' Petr Cech's Advice Has Aided Fractured Skull Recovery

Ryan Mason has praised Petr Cech for his advice and guidance during his ongoing recovery from a fractured skull.

The Hull City star has been sidelined since the start of the year, after a sickening clash of heads with Chelsea centre-back Gary Cahill during a Premier League match.

Mason has been forced to undergo a slow rehabilitation programme as he bids to return to full fitness, and spoke with talkSPORT's Jim White about how Cech has helped him cope with the injury.

Arsenal veteran Cech suffered a similar issue against Reading back in October 2006 and has had to wear a protective helmet in every game he has played in since.

Asked how important the 35-year-old has been in aiding Mason's recovery, the 25-year-old was unequivocal in lauding the ex-Czech Republic international.

He said: “I can’t speak highly enough of Petr Cech. He’s set the standards of what it is to be a proper man and a gentleman.

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“Straightaway [after the incident] he contacted my family and my fiancée and reassured us that what we were going through was normal and to be expected, with not being able to talk and struggling with light and everything like that.

“As soon as I got a bit more strength I was keen to see him because he said, ‘as soon as you’re ready, I’d like to come round and speak to you’."

Recalling the exact moment that the pair met, Mason revealed he was concerned about being able to talk with Cech due to the severity of his pain.

He need not have worried, however, as the ex-Chelsea star's words of wisdom helped him and his family come to terms with the accident.

He continued: “I think it was after about eight or nine weeks he came round. I was a bit worried at first because I hadn’t really spoken to anyone for longer than ten minutes.

“He walked through the door, sat on my sofa and said, ‘just sit back, don’t say anything, just listen’ and he spoke for about an hour and a half.

“I didn’t say anything, he just spoke and it was brilliant because when he left my partner said, ‘wow, the things we were a little bit worried about.’ 

"It just reassured us that everything we were going through was part of the process of recovery.

“We’ve been in touch ever since. He’s been round to the house again and we speak on the phone regularly. He’s been fantastic.”