Andy Morrison has returned to the commentary booth for Manchester City's matchday live team, five-and-a-half months after being diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt Syndrome.
The former City captain, 55, was diagnosed with the neurological condition earlier this year. The condition is caused by a virus in the facial nerve and can lead to facial paralysis, blistering rashes near the ear, severe earache and hearing loss.
Back with the matchday live team
Morrison shared an update with supporters on social media after his first day back, saying: "Evening everyone. Just a quick update after the first day back working at City with the matchday live team, which I thoroughly enjoyed. It was fantastic to be back. Felt the voice was strong enough to go back and do co-commentary today. That's my first time back in five-and-a-half months. I really appreciate all the support and working with Ali Mann, who makes it very easy."
He added: "An enjoyable game. I struggled with a few words, a few names, but nothing too bad. I did struggle with (Ryan) McAidoo. Could have a player there by the way, watch this space. There was enough there to think he could be the next one on the conveyor belt, hugely impressive in the second-half."
'Amazed' at the progress
Morrison also shared positive news from a specialist appointment, revealing he had progressed from a House-Brackmann scale of six to four. He said: "Birthday yesterday, that was a great day with grandkids and family. I had a specialist on Wednesday and it was really positive, he was really delighted and amazed at the progress I had made, from House-Brackmann (nerve grading scale) six to a four and he is really positive that within a year I'll get my eye back and be able to blink, so I won't have to tape it down at night."
He still experiences symptoms, however. "I still have to take juice to swallow and I have no taste in the side of my mouth and the whole side of the face is numb, so I have to drink through a straw still. He wasn't sure just how much that would progress because it's still really weak. But if sucking through a straw is worst case scenario then so be it."
Staying positive
Morrison said he is due to see a specialist again in three months, adding that he felt great to be back doing something that had seemed "a million miles away."
He explained: "A really good day and it just felt great to be back doing something when that seemed a million miles away. I didn't get out of bed for four weeks and couldn't speak for a month. I had some really dark days in this conservatory but I stayed positive and this too shall pass, everything passes, good or bad, everything comes and goes and sometimes you just have to dig in and get through it. But thanks for listening and see you all soon."
