DOCTORS are attempting a procedure in a bid to help former Burnley star Gary Parkinson communicate.

The former Clarets full-back, who played more than 130 games for Burnley, has locked-in syndrome after suffering a major stroke last September.

The 43-year-old, who is married with three children, will have a speech valve fitted to see if he can make some sounds.

If he can, then a speech therapist will work with Gary to try and develop his communication.

Deborah Parkinson, Gary’s wife, has thanked well wishers for their support.

She said: “I tell Gary every day about all the prayers, get well wishes and support.

“All who know Gary will know that he is hard working and not a quitter so he will keep battling and climbing and along with all the positive support hopefully he can look to the future.”

Gary, who scored Burnley’s winning goal in the Division Two play-off final at Wembley in 1994, was head of youth at Blackpool until the stroke.

A speech valve is a plastic attachment that fits on to the end of a tracheotomy tube and which has a one-way valve inside it.

The valve opens to allow the person to breathe in through the tube. When they breathe out the valve closes and this diverts the air up through the voice box, throat and mouth as in normal speech.

Locked-in syndrome is where a patient is aware and awake but, due to almost complete paralysis of their muscles, cannot move or communicate apart from with their eyes.

Fundraising dinners in aid of Gary and his family will take place at Burnley, Blackpool and Middlesbrough, another former club, between March and May this year.

Tickets are still available for the Turf Moor dinner on March 6, at £30 per head.

To book or for more information call 07974 310099.