Anthony Crolla cleared to return to boxing after burglar attack

Anthony Crolla won the WBO inter-continental lightweight title last April

Anthony Crolla has been told he can resume his boxing career after recovering from a fractured skull he suffered when confronting burglars.

The Manchester fighter, 28, was injured near his home in December which halted his training for January's bout against WBA champion Richard Abril from Cuba.

His trainer Joe Gallagher said he was "lucky to be alive" after the attack.

"There's no permanent damage from December and I'll be fine to box on," Crolla said on Twitter.

Crolla, who has won 29 of his 35 professional fights, needed a plate and pin in his ankle and 12 stitches in a head wound after he was hit by a concrete slab when he confronted two burglars fleeing a neighbour's back garden in Chadderton, Greater Manchester.

A big Manchester United fan, Crolla received a signed Reds shirt from captain Wayne Rooney and a phone call from ex-boss Sir Alex Ferguson after his time in hospital.

Anthony Crolla thanked the doctors who helped him in his recovery