A would-be football coach who lost his leg in a bike accident is to attend training sessions with England amputee football team star Ben Houghton.

Shachkeil Burrows has raised £50,000 (about $68,000) to buy a hi-tech artificial leg designed for sport with the help of a GoFundMe page.

Mr Burrows, who lives in Nottingham, England, said: “It would be a dream to play for England one day.”

Mr Houghton, who plays for the Peterborough United and Great Britain amputee team, approached Mr Burrows through social media.

The footballer contacted Mr Burrows after he read of his struggle to regain his mobility in the wake of the loss of his right leg in a bike accident while home in Bermuda last July.

Mr Houghton told Mr Burrows: “It’s enjoyable and in time, who knows, you might have a chance to play for England.”

Mr Burrows said: “I’m just blessed to be alive. This has been a humbling experience and I’m going to take all the opportunities I can get.”

The 24-year-old’s courage in the face of his injury sparked praise and offers of support after he was featured in The Royal Gazette last August.

Mr Burrows said that receiving the high-performance leg was a dream come true.

He added: “I would like to thank everyone for their love and support. Accomplishing this goal has been the best feeling I’ve had in a very long time.

“Thank you to everyone who has contributed donations and not looked at me differently because of my leg.

“Truthfully, I feel blessed that people have supported me throughout this whole process. I’m so grateful.”

Mr Burrows said: “Christmas was really good, especially the food and gifts, and new year’s was also a good start for me.”

He said he was still focused on his pre-accident dream of qualifying as a football coach and personal trainer in the UK.

Mr Burrows added: “I still go to the gym, I’m still keeping very fit. I’ve also been lifting weights with my legs to help strengthen them.”

Friend Khaelijah Burgess helped create the GoFundMe account to raise cash for the special artificial leg.

She said: “He is using the positive to motivate him even more. He is still the same Shachkeil as before.”

Mr Burrows said his physiotherapist advised him to get used to his standard National Health Service-supplied artificial leg for a year before he moved on to the high-performance sports one.

He added: “It’s still a little awkward to use but I’m taking it day by day.”