IT hurts like crazy -- but only when they cheer!

Joiner Stephen Finlay and roofer Paul Morris have the perfect excuse for missing work and watching every World Cup match -- they are laid up in traction in the Royal Bolton Hospital.

Thirty-four year old Mr Finlay, of Farnworth, ended up with two broken legs after falling out of a bedroom window when the Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations turned sour.

And Mr Morris, aged 42, has undergone three operations after his leg was broken in three places following a motorbike crash in Breightmet.

Both are sharing the passion for England and are missing none of the action.

In fact, they have the perfect seat for every game alongside fellow patients on G4 ward of the Royal Bolton Hospital.

They are taking advantage of televisions installed by PatientLine just in time for the World Cup.

Mr Finlay, a father-of-three, broke both legs as he tried to hang bunting from the window at a jubilee street party on Bank Holiday Monday.

He plunged 20 feet and needed emergency surgery. Mr Finlay said: "I went to hospital and the party went on without me! I was determined not to miss the World Cup. I am confident England will win."

Mr Morris had originally planned to catch the game between shift work at Ross Roofing Ltd in Bolton.

But last week's accident in Withins Lane means he will be unable to work for several months.

He said: "I missed the first England match because I was having an operation -- I was gutted. But now I am able to watch every game from the comfort of my own bed. I'm in pain, but a 2-1 win for England tomorrow will take my mind off it a bit!"

The scale of the euphoria reached fever pitch at the hospital last Friday for the Argentina game.

Doctors and nurses at the Royal Bolton Hospital watched the action after a big screen was made available in the education centre. Television monitors have been installed in the Minerva Road hospital as part of new moves by the Government to make hospitals "more modern".