NEWPORT Gwent Dragons number eight Ed Jackson is in hospital after suffering a serious neck injury.

The 28-year-old suffered the injury at the start of the month after an accident in the west of England.

It is understood the back row forward, who has been recovering from a long-term shoulder injury, dived into a shallow swimming pool.

Jackson, who came through the Bath academy and has previously played for Doncaster, London Welsh and Wasps, was taken to hospital and until recently was in intensive care.

Yesterday his friend and former London Welsh teammate Alex Davies tweeted a picture of the number eight and said: “My man @edjackson8 smashing his rehab... so much progress already. What a legend.”

Newport Gwent Dragons have issued a statement that Jackson had suffered a “non-rugby related injury on April 8”.

It read: “He has undergone a neck operation, which was a success, and the surgeons are satisfied with the results. Ed is making significant progress and is currently recovering in hospital.

"Newport Gwent Dragons will be making no further comment, but will continue to share further updates when made available.

"We would also like to ask that the privacy of Ed Jackson and his family are respected at this time."

A raft of players, friends and supporters offered their encouragement after Davies’ Tweet.

“Keep smashing that rehab brother @edjackson8 thoughts with you brother need a beer soon pal,” said Worcester’s former Exiles flanker Carl Kirwan.

Ediinburgh’s Will Helu, who played alongside the number eight at Wasps, said: “Awesome to see you @edjackson8 doing well buddy.”

Harlequins prop Mark Lambert, vice-chairman of the Rugby Players Association in England, said: “All the best on the recovery @edjackson8 from me and all the boys at Quins.”

Strong-running back row forward Jackson has been a huge hit since signing from Wasps in the summer of 2015.

A popular and influential member of the squad, the Millfield-educated Englishman has made 36 appearances was rewarded with a two-year contract extension in December.

Jackson enjoyed a superb first half of the campaign but hasn’t played since the loss at Brive in January because of a shoulder injury with the Dragons missing his ball carrying.