A young rugby player has recovered from a potentially career ending injury following a successful knee operation.

William Marment, who plays rugby for Tiffin Boys School, Kingston, injured his knee while playing the sport during a tour to Venice in November 2009.

He was at the wrong end of a rough tackle, which knocked his knee, tearing cartilage and rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament.

On his return home he was taken to see knee expert Paul Trikha at St Peter’s Hospital, Chertsey, who told him he would not be able to play rugby for at least a year which, given his age, meant he would not be able to play the sport again for Tiffins.

Knowing how important representing his school was to William, Dr Trikha suggested he wore a leg brace so he could continue to train.

However, although the brace made a difference, William forgot to wear it during a martial arts lesson and his knee went again, so Dr Trikha decided to operate in April 2010.

William has now begun training again.

Mr Trikha said: “This was a very complex repair and William’s recovery has been amazing.

"Just after the operation I had my doubts as to whether the meniscal repairs would hold, but William showed great spirit and was diligent with his rehabilitation and I was confident William would be able to play again.”

William’s mother Caroline Marment added: “The service we’ve had from the Trust has been amazing. From the clinic here at St Peter’s to the surgery that William had at Ashford Hospital. Everyone has been so understanding and the surgery was fantastic. You would never know from William’s knee what has happened, he has a tiny scar and in the last six months he’s had no pain at all. He can’t play a game of rugby until next season, but he is able to train.”