DOCTORS are “delighted” with the progress of former Oxford United footballer Steve Tavinor, his father said last night.

The 35-year-old, below, whose left leg was crushed in a collision with a car, underwent a nine-hour operation at Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital on Monday in a bid to save his limb.

Surgeons transplanted a muscle from his shoulder to his leg. The father-of-three, from Wood Farm, Oxford, now faces an anxious wait to see whether the operation has worked.

His father, Roger, who coaches United’s under-16 squad, said: “So far the operation has been a complete success and doctors are delighted with how Steve is doing.

“But he’s not out of the woods yet and the next few days are crucial.

“We have to wait and see whether his leg accepts the new muscle.”

Steve, a former captain of Witney Town FC, who has been playing recently for Oxford City Veterans, was unloading scaffolding in Steeple Aston on Thursday when he was crushed between a Jaguar car and his lorry.

He lives with wife Sally and their two-year-old daughter Erin and has two sons, Max, 14, and Kit, 10, from a previous marriage.

His father said: “When doctors came round to see him after the operation, they couldn’t believe how bright he was looking.

“Steven was sitting up and chatting and was his usual positive self.

“We’re now cautiously optimistic but we’re taking things one step at a time.”

A 64-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving over the incident in Steeple Aston. He was later released on bail until November 4.