A NINE-year-old junior rugby player is facing a vital operation to cure him of cancer.

Rylands Sharks u9s player Joe McGann was diagnosed with a carcinoid tumour in May, with doctors operating on the Grappenhall youngster days later.

Now Joe faces another operation to cure him of cancer.

A resection of his trachea at Great Ormond Street Hospital early next year will remove remaining cancerous cells.

Mum Antonia Gandy said: “There were only two cases of these bronchial neuroendocrine tumours last year in children.

“This operation is the only way to cure him – it’s a massive operation and he will take a long while to recover.

“Joe is fine in himself – he knows he’s having another operation, he just doesn’t know the scale of how big an operation it is.”

His teammates at Rylands Sharks will hold a sponsored swim at Woolston Neighbourhood Hub next month, which will raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital as well as a rugby tournament that the side will enter next year.

Antonia added: “He has had loads of support from everyone and we are really grateful.

“His whole rugby team are taking part in a sponsored swim to raise money for Great Ormond Street and for the team to enter a tournament next year.”

To donate to the swim - which takes place on Sunday, October 8, at 4pm - call 07808237996.