Former Colchester United striker Mark Sale is beating the life-threatening cancer that brought his professional football career to a temporary halt.

The 28-year-old Rushden and Diamonds goalgetter has been battling to shrug off the cancer since November last year.

Speaking to This Is Essex from his Utoxeter home today he said: "All my hair has fallen out because of the chemotherapy, but my x-rays are looking a lot clearer.

"I'm feeling a bit whacked at the moment because I've just had my latest bout of treatment, but other than that I'm OK and trying to keep myself busy amusing my daughter and studying the horses."

Sale, a member of Steve Wignall's U's promotion-winning squad, was transferred to Rushden for £26,000 last August.

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