Former Watford midfielder Lee Williamson is “lucky to be alive” after developing an infection following surgery on a back injury.

The 28-year-old joined Sheffield United last summer in a £500,000 move from the Hornets and Blades boss Kevin Blackwell is now waiting to see if he will be ready for the start of the new season after spending three days on a life-support machine.

Blackwell told the Yorkshire Post: “He had a bulging disc in his back, the same as he had just after he came which resulted in him struggling to regain fitness.

“It was a problem to him late on last season and, at times, he was playing in pain because we were short of bodies.

“When he had the operation in London, complications set in which led to him being on a life-support machine for three days.

“It came out of the blue, infection set in, and he is lucky to be alive. But his wife, Gemma, has been a tower of strength and we have kept in touch with her.”

A number of injury problems restricted the former Rotherham United player to just 16 appearances for the Bramall Lane club last season.