Battling Hayley Finch was over the moon after her new footballing hero visited her in hospital after finding out injury has forced her to miss Bradford City's last home game of the season today.

City signing Michael Standing, pictured with Hayley, spent more than an hour with the 12-year-old brittle bone disease sufferer during a visit organised by the Telegraph & Argus.

The T&A reported on Thursday how the Shipley youngster - who can be left with broken bones by a simple knock and has suffered more than 200 fractures - had broken a leg in a fall at school and was waiting for steel rods to be inserted into her legs to help keep them straight.

The setback has forced the City season ticket holder to miss today's match against West Bromwich Albion, the first home game she has missed for three years.

But her disappointment turned to joy yesterday when Michael Standing, 21, a midfielder signed from Aston Villa three weeks ago, visited her at Bradford Royal Infirmary and handed gifts including tickets for Stuart McCall's testimonial against Rangers later this month and a book signed by his team-mates and a framed photograph.

And Hayley told him about her own exploits, as a wheelchair football and basketball player at Beckfoot Grammar School, Bingley. Of the visit, Hayley said: "It was wicked - he's definitely my favourite player now and I'm going to get his name and number on the back of my shirt for next season.

"When the doctors said I wouldn't be able to go to the match I just cried but his visit has really made up for it and I'm determined to be fit in time for the testimonial.''

Hayley's mother Carol said: "His visit really made her day and we were so impressed by the genuine interest he showed in Hayley."

The midfielder said: "I felt really bad for Hayley when I read about everything she's gone through and the fact she was so upset about missing our last home game.

"But she's a real inspiration.''

A Bradford City spokesman said: "Everyone here wishes Hayley all the best and hope she'll be fit to come back for the testimonial and next season.''