A Bradford Commando has amazingly survived after a bullet went through his head during a battle in Afghanistan.

Former professional rugby league player Liam Brentley, 25, was on a routine patrol with the Royal Marines in Afghanistan’s Helmand province when he came under heavy Taliban fire.

A bullet fired by an insurgent missed his helmet, entered his head near his ear and exited the back of his head.

Incredibly, the super-fit Marine survived following surgery in Afghanistan and the UK.

His mum, Yvonne Brentley, 47, told the Telegraph & Argus: “The doctors said that it was his age and his fitness that helped him survive, otherwise we wouldn’t have had Liam with us.”

Marine Brentley, a father-of-one whose wife Samantha is expecting their second child this week, was on his first tour of duty to Afghanistan.

He was with the 40 Commando Bravo company on patrol in Sangin with his colleagues when he was wounded.

Liam was flown to the coalition military air base in Kandahar for emergency surgery but, because his injuries were so serious, doctors there were unable to stabilise him.

He was then flown back to the UK and underwent major neurological surgery at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Selly Oak, Birmingham.

His mother, her husband Gary, a former Bradford Northern Rugby League player, and their eldest son Jamie, 27, have been at his hospital bedside since he returned to Britain.

Mrs Brentley of Bierley Lane, Bierley, said: “It is too early to say when he is coming home – they are still doing tests because of the extent of his injuries.

“It is going to be a long road to recovery but we are all here for him.”

She added: “We are really grateful to the staff at the hospital in Kandahar and in the UK.”

Marine Brentley, a former pupil of Buttershaw School, played for Sheffield Eagles Rugby League Club for two years and later as a hooker for Bradford Dudley Hill.

He and Samantha have a two-year-old son, Joey. They are expecting a daughter.

At his passing out ceremony last year, Marine Brentley was one of only four stand-out recruits from his troop to be awarded the Diamond honour. He was injured on his first tour of duty in Afghanistan.