A man who suffered a broken jaw in violence after a Norwich City away game may never completely heal from his injury, it is feared.
John Carver, 55, of Bowthorpe, needed to have a plate set in his jaw after he was knocked to the ground when leaving Bramall Lane football ground shortly after Saturday's match against Sheffield United.
Mr Carver underwent the operation yesterday (Monday) at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, and is now on the mend at home.
His wife, Vanessa Carver, said: 'John may have permanent nerve damage to his face and lips due to the broken jaw as it's numb and he's getting a tingling sensation.
'He was allowed to come homes yesterday evening but he needs someone with him for 24 hours.
'He's on soft foods, but he can talk.'
Mr Carver said he wanted to thank everyone who had offered support and words of comfort.
He said: 'The support from supporters and friends and family have been amazing.
'Also the Norfolk and Norwich did an excellent job.'
Mr and Mrs Carver had planned a holiday to Jamaica in a couple of weeks, and hope it can still go ahead.
Mrs Carver said: 'We should be able to go away but got another check up next week at the hospital.'
But it is still unclear when he will be able to go back to his job in the mail room at Aviva.
Mr Carver said he could not remember being hit from behind in the violence that marred the end of the match - and came to lying on the floor when a paramedic was administering first aid.
Two other Norwich City fans aged 55 and 25 were sent to hospital for treatment in Sheffield, and South Yorkshire Police yesterday said they had charged two men from Sheffield in relation to a dispute outside the ground.
However, it is not believed the arrests were connected to the assault on Mr Carver.
Norwich City Football Club said it had since written to the English Football League voicing 'strong concerns' about 'incidents' which took place during and after the match.
Sheffield United Football Club is investigating the violence.
Anyone with information should call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously quoting incident number 855 of 16 September 2017.
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