LONDON (AP) -Former England striker Mick Channon is due to return home Thursday while still recuperating from serious injuries sustained in a car crash last week that killed one of his longtime friends.
"He's expressed his gratitude to everyone who has sent their well-wishes," said Channon's son, Michael. "Although it might be a week or so before he's ready to receive visitors."
The 46-year-old Channon, who is now a prominent race horse trainer, had successful surgery for a punctured lung, broken ribs and a fractured jaw in the accident, which killed racing agent Tim Corby.
They were returning to Channon's home in Berkshire when the Mercedes they were traveling in went off the road and hit a concrete pillar.
Corby, the driver, was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics, but Channon and his youngest son Jack were airlifted to the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham.
Jack Channon had only minor injuries and was released Thursday.
Channon played 46 times for England in the 1970s and made 510 appearances for Southampton before embarking on a highly successful career in horse racing.
