Ray Putterill was remarkably calm as he described the moment that almost finished his playing career before it started.

"My spine was fractured in a tackle – it was a knee to the back," said the new Stanley midfielder matter-of-factly. "That happened playing for England schoolboys against Ireland. I jumped up for a header and my feet went from under me and before I knew it, my spine had gone.

"I was paralysed for about 20 minutes afterwards. But I’ve made a full recovery, so I’ve no worries about that whatsoever.

"It’s been a long road back, and I can’t tell you how keen I am to play football again. I just can’t wait for the season to get under way."

Putterill has had a lot of injuries for a player who is only 21 – he has also needed a hip reconstruction as well as hernia and knee operations.

But a sparky midfielder who looked a good bet to make it through the Liverpool youth set-up at one stage is delighted to be getting a second crack at the professional game at Accrington.

"I’ve had a lot of bad injuries," he said. "I did well as a kid, but as I got older, I just found I got injured a lot. I haven’t been able to play for the last year. I’ve got myself back fit to come in here, because I’d put a lot of weight on. And I feel I’ve done well.

"My ambition with Accrington is just to have a good season and see what happens after that.

"I think we can do well this season. We’ve got a lot of good lads, and the fitness levels are good so the potential is there.

"The important thing for me is to be playing regularly. I need a lot of games to get back to the way I was. The last couple of years have been tough. I had seven operations in total but I’m ready to go again."

Before injuries halted his progress, Putterill had done enough to make it on to the Liverpool bench for a League Cup tie at Reading in September 2007.

He had already made his mark in the previous season’s FA Youth Cup final, scoring a penalty in front of the Stretford End in a shoot-out win over Manchester United.

He had shown a cheeky streak too, as he proved in a reserve game at Middlesbrough three years ago, when he converted a penalty and then kissed stunned opposing defender Tony McMahon, who had been taunting him as he stepped up.

The midfielder makes no secret of the fact that he desperately wanted to make it at Anfield. But he is also pragmatic enough to put that disappointment behind him and focus on becoming a success with Stanley.

He said: "I was disappointed that it didn’t work out at Liverpool but that’s life. You’ve got to be exceptional to make it there. They’ve got a lot of good players, and it was good to learn off them.

"But that’s gone now, and for me it’s all about trying to make an impression here. It’s time to start building again and I feel very confident in my game. I think I can do a lot for this club."

Putterill’s chance with Stanley came about thanks to a friend of his, who knew assistant boss Jimmy Bell. When the two men spoke, Bell invited Putterill over for a trial, and the youngster impressed sufficiently to win a six-month deal.

Putterill said: "My first impressions were very positive. I like all the lads. The banter’s great, and I like the way they play.

"This season for me is all about getting games and scoring as many goals as I can. I haven’t played a league game yet.

"Two years ago, I was told I would never kick a ball again. And here I am now. I’m only 21, so it’s time to crack on."