Football: Masked Mabbutt excels for reserves on the way back from horrific injury

Gary Mabbutt, the Tottenham captain, sports a special face mask in a reserve match against Chelsea yesterday afternoon. Mabbutt, who fractured his cheek-bone in a collision with Wimbledon's John Fashanu three months ago, did well and hopes to be back in first-team action by the end of the month. 'The mask

affected me inasmuch as it restricted my vision, but it does give me that extra bit of protection and confidence, although I would hope to be able to stop

wearing it after about two or three games,' he said. 'Heading the ball felt OK. But it was a bit strange, my head vibrated a bit.'

(Photograph omitted)