Antonio Conte hails Ryan Mason’s ‘great strength’ after injury recovery

• Mason had 14 metal plates inserted in his skull
• Cahill ‘devastated’ at Mason’s retirement announcement

Antonio Conte has praised Ryan Mason’s strength of character in recovering from the horrific head injury sustained during Hull City’s Premier League match at Chelsea 13 months ago that has forced his retirement from the game at the age of 26.

Mason, who fractured his skull in a clash of heads with Gary Cahill in January 2017, hung up his boots this week on medical advice. He underwent emergency surgery after the incident and has been left with 14 metal plates on the right side of his skull and a scar that at one stage required 42 staples.

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