A SUNDERLAND footballer has made a generous donation to help save a fellow player's career.

Striker Danny Graham has shelled out £2,690 to help Gateshead midfielder JJ O’Donnell.

The striker has given O’Donnell the money towards an operation after he was struck down with sesamoiditis, a rare injury to the foot.

The condition causes the toes to inflame and makes kicking a ball excruciating.

Two Gateshead supporters launched an online campaign to fund the operation and Graham’s contribution has tipped the sum over the £7,000 mark, which is around the cost of the operation.

A delighted O’Donnell tweeted: “I’m not singling Danny out as without everybody donating I wouldn’t have ever reached my target, but a donation like that has left me speechless.

“I’ve never met Danny but for him to put an astronomical amount like that towards a fund of a lad who he doesn’t know, speaks volumes of what a true gentleman he is

“Premier League players take a lot of stick about being role models but this shows just how much of a role model someone can be.

“Hopefully, I’m able to meet Danny and thank him personally for an incredible thing to do.”