CHIPPENHAM Town striker Mark Cutler is risking life in a wheelchair to make his footballing comeback following a depressing time on the sidelines.

The 27-year-old front man retired after the FA Carlsberg Vase final in May, but has not set his sights on reaching the final again this season.

"I'm living for the moment, although I know I could finish up in a wheelchair within a month," said Cutler.

Cutler, who retired on doctor's advice, added: "I couldn't sit out any longer. I am risking my long term condition, but hopefully my comeback can last long enough to play in the FA Vase final again."

Cutler's knee problems started at the age of 17, while he was a youth player at Bristol City.

"The knee has deteriorated from too much football, and there is no cure. It's just an ongoing thing, and I could end up in a wheelchair in a month," he said.

"But I was just too depressed not playing, and I couldn't even watch the side."

Cutler has spent his miserable days doing shopping and housework, and admitted his depression had a huge affect on his personal life.

"The missus was going to leave me, but I'm coming back now, and she said she'll push my wheelchair around," Cutler joked.

Cutler is easing his way back, otherwise his comeback could be over before it has even got properly under way. He is wearing strapping under the sock to help support the troublesome ligaments.

"I am being very sensible. I'm trying to build up the knee so that it holds out. I'm feeling very fit, despite a long time out."

He is also pleased with the response he has received from everyone concerned with the club.

"The fans have been brilliant. The support I have received has been fantastic."

He also praised the way in which his manager Tommy Saunders and chairman Malcolm Lyus have handled the situation.

"Tommy Saunders told me to be sure of what I was doing, and not to feel forced into coming back," he said.

"There are injuries and suspensions at the club at the moment, but I've come back because I missed playing football. The chairman also said I had to be wary of my long term condition, but I'm living for the moment. My dad said it could end in a month, but hopefully it can last a long time. I just couldn't sit out any longer."

Saunders has welcomed Cutler's return, but insists he still has a long way to go.

"You can tell he hasn't been training for ages. He's doing okay at the moment, but he needs to get fitter," said Saunders,

"I'm fairly hopeful that his knee will hold out, but if it doesn't I have got other strikers. I'm pleased that he (Cutler) is back, but he will be judged on his performances."

Backwell United 1, Chippenham Town 2

CHIPPENHAM Town manager Tommy Saunders was far from happy with his team's all-round performance on Saturday, despite what he called an "excellent result" in a 2-1 away victory over Backwell United.

Saunders was a relieved man when his team hung on for three points.

He said: "It was a dire performance. The team need a good kick up the backside, and some of them are going through the motions. We were extremely lucky to win."

The team were short of five first team players, due to injury and suspension, but Saunders does not accept that as an excuse for a poor display.

"It was an excellent result, but I'm not happy with the performance. We were well below par today and must do better."

The injury situation seems to be clearing up ahead of this weekend's home clash with Barnstable, although there are still a couple of slight worries. L

Lee Collins is suffering from a torn hamstring, while Nicky Beaverstock is suffering from a leg injury.

Calne Town 4, Frome Town 3

THIS ding-dong, stormer of a match on Friday night saw Calne emerge victorious, thanks to a late Andy Waller strike.

It was the second year running Frome had travelled to Bremhill View on a Friday night and gone down to a late goal.

Frome kicked off at a cracking gallop and stretched Calne to the limit with some fine passing moves. The Somerset side took the lead after 12 minutes, with Neil Smith heading in Kieron Whites free-kick.

Calne hung on and got a break on 23 minutes when Frome defender Matt Harris and goalkeeper Andy Crabtree got in a muddle and Toby Colbourne nipped in to tidy things up.

Frome restored their lead early in the second-half, when following an intense period of pressure, Tony Pounder set off on a dazzling 25 run, beating three Calne defenders, before being hauled down by a combination of Steve Alford and goalkeeper Ali Wicks in the box. John Millar confidently converted the spot kick.

Calne chased, hassled and harried their way back into the game again, Dave Clayton's strength on the left releasing Waller to deliver an incisive cross to Colbourne, who banged it in with 60 minutes on the clock.

Calne took the lead eight minutes later as Simon Hillier battled to win two headers in a row, making space for Colbourne to notch his hat-trick from close in.

The reply was immediate as Frome kicked off and charged through the middle, Neil Smith catching Calne mid-celebration and playing a pass to former Calne player Craig Tuck, who cracked in a fine finish from 20 yards.

The match stormed on, as both sides searched for a winner, and Calne snatched it with ten minutes left. Mick Garcia played in Waller on the right, and his wickedly deceptive cross eluded all and bounced in off the post.

Simon Hillier almost extended Calne's lead on 85 minutes, his two point blank efforts being brilliantly saved by Andy Crabtree. The final minutes saw Frome camped in Calne's box, but Calne's determination stood out as everything delivered into the area was cleared .