FORMER Burnley defender Clarke Carlisle is getting better and stronger every day, according to his wife.

Mr Carlisle, 35, was struck by a lorry on the A64 in Bishopthorpe, North Yorkshire, on December 22.

His wife, Gemma, tweeted yesterday that he was awake and responding to treatment.

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Last month Clarets fans held a minute’s applause for the Preston-born player, who made 149 appearances for Burnley, during the Boxing Day defeat at home to Liverpool.

The ex-Claret is due to appear in magistrates court on Tuesday, January 20, after being charged with failing to provide a sample on December 20 – two days before he was seriously injured in the road collision.

Police in London confirmed the charge last month and at the time his wife and fans of the former footballer took to social media to defend him.

Taking to Twitter yesterday, Mrs Carlisle said: “Thank you again for asking after Clarke.

“He’s still in hospital but is getting better and stronger each day.”

She added that her husband was awake after being asked by a fan.

Earlier this month the family said that Mr Carlisle was in a stable and relatively comfortable condition but faces a long road to full recovery.

The former defender made 149 appearances for the Clarets between 2007 and 2012.

Carlisle, an ambassador for Turf Moor’s UCFB College of Football Business, was a pedestrian in the incident, which saw him sustain head and knee injuries.

A former chairman of the Professional Footballers’ Association, Mr Carlisle was instrumental in Burnley’s promotion to the Premier League in 2009.

The ex-England under-21 international also played for Blackpool, Queens Park Rangers, Leeds United, Watford, Luton Town, Preston North End, York City, and Northampton Town before becoming a commentator for ITV.

Since the collision, a host of footballers, former clubs, organisations and charities have used social media to send messages hoping Carlisle makes a quick recovery.