Cisse hails 'miracle' recovery

Djibril Cisse believes it is a 'miracle' he is in contention to play against Juve.

The French striker is back in Rafa Benitez's squad for their UEFA Champions League clash in Turin on Wednesday night.

Cisse was last seen in action back in October when he left Ewood Park on a stretcher with a shattered leg following an innocuous challenge with Blackburn's James McEveley.

However, just five-and-a-half months later the former Auxerre man is fit and could make his return against Serie A giants Juve in European action.

"I'm not exaggerating to say that it is a miracle that I am playing again at this stage," revealed Cisse.

"It is miraculous and I can count my blessing that I can be playing now in this game.

"I knew instantly I broke the leg how awful it was. But I also knew how lucky I was. I knew that if the doctor had waited even a few minutes longer then I would have lost my leg.

"I also knew that if it had been an open fracture there was no chance of me playing again. It would have been the end of my career.

"When it happened it wasn't the pain that told me it was so serious. It was seeing my leg move at these different angles.

"The pain so was so intense that I actually didn't really feel it. The surgeon told me that it is a strange phenomenon that the pain is so acute you don't actually feel it."

The 23-year-old has revealed his career-threatening injury has put things into perspective and that he appreciates everything a lot more now.

"You know, what happened has put everything into perspective for me," he added. "I see things differently now.

"I want to say that to all the football players in the world, all the professionals who think they are hard done to or have something to complain about.

"They all complain, you know, about things like having to run for 30 minutes or to do something they don't fancy, and they moan.

"But that is ridiculous - we are so lucky, and I really appreciate that now."