A SOLDIER from St Helens who suffered horrific injuries in an Afghanistan bomb blast has defiantly vowed “to return to work and watch Saints next season”.

Corporal Andy Reid lost both of his legs and his right arm after an improvised explosive device blew up as he patrolled Sangin in Helmand province last month.

The 33-year-old is now recovering at Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham.

In a statement issued to the Star by the Ministry of Defence on behalf of Cpl Reid, he thanked the “incredible actions” of those that saved his life.

The indomitable soldier, who was serving with 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, vowed “he is broken, but not beaten” and will get himself fit again so he can return to work and go to Knowsley Road to cheer on Saints.

The MoD statement read: “He wants to tell people that he is in no doubt that the medical care given to him by the soldiers at the scene, by the medical staff at Camp Bastion field hospital and by the staff at Selly Oak, has saved his life and he is thankful to everyone for their incredible actions.

“He is also keen to thank his family for their magnificent support, and his partner, who has been by his bedside since he arrived at Selly Oak.

“Cpl Reid wants people to know that he is ‘broken, but not beaten’ and that he is ‘determined to get himself fit again, return to work and watch Saints next season’.

“He is also keen to thank the many people who have sent kind messages of support and well-wishes.”

The blast happened on the morning of Tuesday, Oct 13 and comrades gave medical care to Cpl Reid at the scene. He was then taken to the military field hospital at Camp Bastion, in Helmand where medics gave him expert care.

Since then he has been brought back to the UK for further treatment at Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham.

Cpl Reid has been in the Army for 10 years, serving in Northern Ireland, Kosovo, Iraq twice and Afghanistan.

Colleagues say “his contribution in Sangin over the summer has been immense” and that they “take great strength from his courage and selfless leadership”.