A footballer has claimed a Shropshire hospital failed to diagnose the full severity of his injury after he broke his leg in a friendly match.

Matty Lewis of AFC Telford United was today hoping to have surgery to have the bones pinned in his right leg after the break that has ruined the start to his season. Mr Lewis has not made an official complaint.

The striker was stretchered from the pitch after suffering the injury just eight minutes into the second half of last Friday night’s pre-season friendly against Cheltenham at the New Bucks Head.

He said that he went to the Princess Royal Hospital and was told there was a break in the lower part of his ankle. He was referred to Coventry because that’s where he lives.

“I came down (to Coventry’s Walgrave Hospital) on Sunday for them to check the X-rays I’d had done at Telford and put it in a full cast,” said Lewis.

“But I told the surgeon I was still in a lot of pain up the right side of my shin, and when he poked it, I hit the roof. After that, he sent for another X-ray and when that came back it showed it was completely fractured through the tibia.

“They’d missed that at Telford even though I’d been complaining the worst pain was down the side of my leg.”

Lewis added: “I’m just glad it’s been spotted now. If I’d not spoken up about the pain it might have gone undetected for ages.”

A spokesman for the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust which runs the Princess Royal, said it was unable to comment on any specific patient’s treatment or condition.

“However, we are committed to providing all patients and their carers with the best possible care, treatment and information,” said the spokesman,

“Where problems do arise we would encourage patients and carers to talk to hospital staff including the Patient Advice and Liaison Services so that these can be addressed as soon as possible.

“We also welcome compliments, complaints and concerns after people have left hospital, as this information helps us to take appropriate action and to improve our services in future.”

By Dave Morris