After hearing from the YEP how Wayne had been left paralysed with brain injuries, Steven and club officials wanted to bring a little cheer to the 'Reds' supporter.

So they sent the player's signed team shirt to 22-year-old Wayne.

The former landscape gardener and builder, was hit over the head with a bottle and run over by a car by a thug in the attack outside his Armley home a year ago.

Wayne could not believe his eyes when YEP Sports Editor Phil Rostron presented him with the magnificent shirt framed by Kingswear Gallery of Cross Gates.

Wayne has been a Liverpool fan since he was eight after being mesmerised by the likes of Kenny Dalgleish.

Today he rates Gerrard and said: "He's just brilliant. He takes free kicks, shoots and scores goals all the time. He's just a great player."

A spokesman for Liverpool AFC told the YEP "We hope that this signed shirt from Steven will aid Wayne, a lifelong supporter of the Reds, as he battles to recover from the appalling incident which so tragically has left him paralysed and wheelchair bound.

"For a young man with much of his young life to live, Wayne will for the foreseeable future rely on the support and dedication of his family and friends and everyone at Liverpool Football Club hopes that each time he looks at Steven's shirt it will inspire him towards leading as normal a life as possible."

Wayne, who could not speak or move for six months, has shown major improvements recently. For many months he has been a rehabilitation patient at Chapel Allerton Hospital, Leeds.

Wayne's brother, John and his father, John Snr said they wished to thank Steve Gerrard and the Liverpool Club for their generosity.

John Jnr said: "This means a terrific amount to my brother. We also want to thank the surgeons, doctors and nurses at Leeds Infirmary who saved Wayne's life, and especially the team at Chapel Allerton who are just 100 per cent in their devotion."

A huge problem still faces Wayne and his family.

Until suitably adapted council accommodation can be found for Wayne he can not go home.

John Jnr explained that because of his condition Wayne could not be left alone and therefore it was essential that the replacement accommodation was in Armley, where the family had a network of friends they could call on for occasional help.

John Jnr is giving up work to care for his brother and is currently looking for a three bed house or two bed ground floor flat for them to live in.

He added: "Until we get one, I am afraid Wayne will be viewed as a 'bed blocker.'"