TEENAGER Tristan Green has received a boost...a visit from Colchester United legend Karl Duguid.

Tristan, 18, was paralysed from the chest down after diving into a shallow swimming pool and breaking his neck, in July.

The U’s fan, of Prettygate, Colchester, could spend the rest of his life inawheelchair, but is showing real fighting spirit.

Earlier this month he was transferred from Addenbrooke’s Hospital, in Cambridge, to Colchester General Hospital, where he is showing signs of improvement.

And among his visitors at the hospital was former U’s captain, Mr Duguid.

Tristan’s dad, James, 38, said: “Tristan was looking up at the glass doors when Karl came in.

It was like Santa had come in!

“Karl said if his players had the same determination as Tristan had, they would be top of the league.”

Tristan is becoming less dependant on a ventilator and is now able to eat solid food.

He is undergoing physiotherapy every day and wasmoved to Colchester when a bed became available, so he could be nearer to his family and friends.

He is on a waiting list to go to Stoke Mandeville Hospital, in Buckinghamshire, where he could spend up to nine months on a rehabilitation programme.

The full extent of Tristan’s injuries, which included breaking his neck in two places, and a bruised spinal chord, will not be known for about a year.

Mr Green wanted to say a special thank you to Colchester United and Mr Duguid for their support.

The club had already a donated a signed shirt for Tristan, organised in conjunction with the Gazette.

Mr Duguid said: “Tristan was great. His positivity was lovely to see for someone who has been through so much and is going to go through so much.

He was amazing. He has got a good head on his shoulders.”

The Facebook page his family set up, Tristan’s Road to Recovery, has more than 2,700 Likes and has had global messages of support.

Tristan, who attended Alderman Blaxill School, Colchester, had been trying to get on a plumbing and electrical course before the accident.