YORK City's former teenage international defender Chris Hogg was today making a good recovery after severing an artery while chasing thieves who tried to steal his sister's car.

The England under-19 defender needed a four-hour operation to repair nerves, tendons and a main artery in his left arm, which were sliced open after he accidentally put his hand through a window in an effort to scare away the thieves.

He was rushed to hospital by his sister as his family feared he could die from loss of blood.

Chris was transferred to Ipswich Town for £150,000 as a 16-year-old in July 2001 and later played for Boston United.

He told how he was in bed at his parent's home in Middlesbrough on Boxing Day when he had heard suspicious noises.

"I looked out the window and saw someone trying to get into my sister's car.

"I ran down the stairs, but the door was locked," he said.

"As I reached to get the keys, I was banging on the door to try to scare them away. On the third thump my hand and arm went through the plate glass window.

"There was blood everywhere and things weren't looking good. My family was really worried and didn't think we could wait for an ambulance.

"My sister had seen the thieves drive away in another car, so she put me in her car and drove me to the hospital."

Hospital staff lost count of the number of stitches Hogg needed and he spent a week in the Middlesbrough hospital before returning home on Monday.

The thieves, who were not caught, got away with a set of wheel trims valued at about £10.

Chris has made nine reserve team appearances this season and represented England, but he has found his path to the first team blocked because a senior appearance would trigger a £50,000 payment to City.

The injury will mean that he cannot play again for at least two months. He said: "I have a splint on for six weeks, but hopefully I will be playing very shortly after that.

"I have spoken with our physio, Matt Byard, who has given me advice, but I will have a clearer picture on what I can do after I see the surgeon again later this week."

Updated: 11:33 Thursday, January 06, 2005