POOLE-born former speedway rider Colin Sanders is to be flown back to England from Florida to continue his battle for full health.

The ex-Plymouth and Romford star suffered a "massive stroke" while having an out-of-competition spin at Dade City in June.

As a result of the stroke, Sanders, a former grasstracker who also rode cycle speedway for Tatnam Tigers in the early 60s, is completely paralysed down one side of his body and unable to speak.

Sanders, currently recovering in St Joseph's Hospital, Tampa, had been on a life support machine.

But the 58-year-old's condition has improved over the last few months and doctors are planning to fly him to England to continue his rehabilitation.

Sanders has lived in America for about 25 years, but his sister Carole Dilks, who lives in Derbyshire, said: "It looks as though he will be repatriated before Christmas by flying home with British Airways accompanied by two nurses.

"He'll be initially assessed at a hospital nearest the airport and then he should be transferred to a hospital in the Poole area where his son Steve lives.

"Then it will be a case of his American doctors liasing with doctors over here to find out what care he needs.

"It could be a nursing home or a hospital. It all depends on how much they think he can gain.

"Because he is relatively young I expect he'll go into a hospital somewhere like Southampton for more vigorous physio to retrain the brain cells damaged by the stroke."

Carole, a former community care nurse, stressed it wasn't the riding accident that caused Colin's injuries, as many people first thought, but the stroke suffered while he was riding his bike.

She added: "He has always been in good physical condition and we hope that will stand him in good stead now.

"Colin has been having loads of visits from his speedway friends in Florida and we are particularly grateful for the help he has received from Randy Yoho, the owner of Dade City raceway, and Brad Amburgey.

"My son Simon Miller has been in contact with them, the Tampa hospital authorities and with British Embassy staff in Florida and they have all been extremely helpful.

"I'd also like to thank Poole press officer Gordon Day and Mr Knightley, of the Romford Bombers website, for their help, and the whole speedway fraternity for the interest and concern they have shown for Colin.

"Hopefully some of them may be able to visit him when he is resident in Poole again.

"I know how important it is for Colin to hear from the many friends he has made in speedway, and if people want to send cards to him they should post them to Simon Miller, The Three Chimneys, Pilly Hill, Bolder, Hampshire, SOH 15QF, and we'll pass them on.

"Colin can't speak but he can read so it will be a big comfort to him."

Carole, who had lost contact with Colin about five years ago, learnt of his plight after her sister-in-law Mitzy Hall, who lives in Hamworthy, read Amburgey's appeal in the Echo for family members to get in touch following the accident.