AN EIGHT-YEAR-OLD schoolboy plans to be back on the football pitch just six weeks after undergoing open heart surgery.

Only last month, sports-mad Joe Harnett from Hoole endured the life-saving treatment at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital to mend the 21mm hole he’s had in his heart since birth.

A 10-strong team of surgeons worked for six-and-a half hours to cut through Joe’s chest wall and repair his damaged aortic valve.

But the King’s School pupil has amazed his doctors by managing to get back on his feet just two days after the operation on January 4.

Joe made such a fast recovery he was allowed to return home four days after surgery, and the die-hard Manchester United fan is now already back at school and planning his return to training at his beloved football club, the Vicars Cross Dynamos.

Mum Lorraine, 41, who was with him throughout his hospital stay, said open heart surgery was vital to prevent Joe slipping into cardiac arrest in the future.

“Even though Joe was born with the hole in his heart, he had showed absolutely no symptoms and has always been very active and sporty.

“But during one of his regular six month check-ups we were told he needed surgery to mend the hole, which we later discovered was the same size as a pound coin,” added Lorraine, an NHS worker.

“Alder Hey were amazing, he was treated so well and I am just so pleased. None of us realised how potentially serious this was and what we were preventing so I am just so glad he had it.

“When he came home it was like bringing my baby home for the first time.”

Next week Joe will take part in his first football training session since his operation, and will play in a match a week later.

Joe is also looking forward to being reunited with his teammates, whose picture he had next to his bed during his surgery.

“Some of them came to see me in hospital too and we played on the Wii,” said Joe. “They were nice to me in hospital and even let me stay a bit longer to watch the Manchester United game on TV but I’m glad to be home.”

Sean Finch, who manages Joe’s team at Vicars Cross Dynamos, said everyone was looking forward to his return.

“I’ve been in contact with Lorraine throughout his surgery and he’s just done so well,” he added.

“Joe made some real improvements before he left and we’re all really looking forward to having him back playing with us.”

A spokesperson for Alder Hey said: “It’s a wonderful story and great to hear Joe is making such a good recovery.

“Children have their whole lives ahead of them and the care children receive at Alder Hey is all about ensuring they and their families go on to lead happy and fulfilled lives.”