Abingdon United midfielder Michael Alexis has vowed to bounce back from his horrific leg injury which has ruled him out for the rest of the season.

The former Oxford United youngster, 23, who was born and bred in the city, suffered a broken right fibula, as well as a dislocated and broken right ankle after being involved in a challenge with Paulton Rovers defender Ross Casey.

The incident happened 35 minutes into the British Gas Business Southern League Division 1 South & West clash on January 5, which had to be abandoned.

Alexis, who was just two months into his job as a teaching assistant at Wheatley Park School, spent five days in the trauma unit at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford where he underwent surgery to repair the broken bones.

The right-footed player will be in plaster for another two months before he can start the long process of rehabilitation.

He is not expecting to play again for at least six months and has been signed off work until March. The injury also means he is unable to drive his car.

"I got the ball from a throw-in and tried to nick it away and the next thing I know the guy comes in and crunch," said Alexis, who was released as a 20-year-old by the U's.

"I remember hearing a snap. I just thought 'God, I've just broken my leg.' I've never had a major break like this, but knew it was broken because I saw what happened to (Djibril) Cisse at Liverpool.

"I grabbed my leg and it was bent the other way around. I knew it was broken and I saw everyone rush on, the manager, my dad and the physio. I didn't feel any pain at the time.

"I remember being carried off and waving to the crowd.

"Apparently, I told one of the fans that they'd patch me up and I'd be back in five minutes. But I think that was the morphine kicking in.

"The paramedic was going to cut my boot off, but I didn't want them ruined as I had just bought them for £120!"

Alexis, who lives with his parents Benny and Maggie in Risinghurst, and who joined Abingdon from Brackley just under a year ago, added: "The worst pain I felt was when I was getting ready to leave and my calf was really tight. They had to cut it open to relieve the pain and put a new cast on."

He has no bitterness about what happened against Paulton, which came just a couple of days after his birthday.

"I'm philosophical about it," he said. "It's just part of the game.

"The challenge wasn't malicious, but I don't think he should have gone in so hard. But that's just one of the risks you take playing football.

"He didn't say anything to me after it happened, but Paulton did send me a card."

"It's going to take six to eight months before I can play again," he admitted.

"I'm not going to rush back - I'm going to take things slowly. But I don't like sitting around. I'm a very active person.

"I've just been watching TV and playing on my computer. I've been trying to read books and have just started reading Roy Keane's autobiography.

Oxford City have offered to help as have my old club, Slough. I've also been in contact with Chris Hackett (the now Millwall winger played in the same U's youth team as Alexis), who's out for a while with a cruciate knee ligament injury. So I'm not going to be on my own.

"Mum and dad have been very supportive as has my girlfriend. The staff at the hospital were really good as well.

"I coach St Edmunds Under 13's in the Oxford Mail Boys' League and their manager Stefan Trevelyn has been great too, while John and Debbie Blackmore at Abingdon United have been excellent.

Alexis, who has also visited the pupils at Wheatley Park and attended their cup final at Oxford City l, has been a regular face in the crowd at Abingdon's home games. But admits it's tough.

"I'm not a good football watcher. There's nothing like playing. I also miss the banter of the changing room and training.

He added: "I'm hoping to be playing again around October-time, but I don't really like to set myself targets.

"I'm going to make sure it's right though. I don't want to come back too early.

"I just want to be back playing again. There is no reason why I can't get back to how I was before.

"Now, it's just a waiting game."

Alexis says he had been overwhelmed by the number of fans who turned up for his benefit match.

Oxford United boss Darren Patterson sent a full-strength line-up to play Abingdon United at Northcourt Road with the proceeds going towards the midfielder's hardship fund.

More than 500 people, including Alexis and members of his family attended the match which finished in a 1-1 draw, the U's new signing Michael Blackwood cancelling out a Ryan Curtin strike.

But many local footballers gave their support to the event, with QPR striker Dexter Blackstock and many other ex-Oxford United players present.

"It went really well," said Alexis. "I was really shocked by the size of the crowd - taken aback to be honest.

"It was so nice that so many people turned up to support me.

"We played really well. It's a shame that we couldn't do it again against Windsor & Eton (Abingdon lost 3-1).

Abingdon United are still looking for people to sponsor races on the race night, in aid of Alexis at the clubhouse on Saturday.

Punters pay £30 for a race which includes a horse. Alternatively, they can buy a horse at £5 each.

People can simply turn up on the night.