The bin lorry came within an inch of his head during the accident in Nottingham earlier this week.

The Newcastle United defender, known as Psycho, escaped the horrific collision with only minor injuries.

Training session

Pearce was handed the keys to the S-registered car at a training session at the team's Chester-le-Street training ground.

In total 30 Rover cars were given to Newcastle United as part of a promotional package.

The cars - including the Rover 200, Rover 800 and the MG - are normally priced at between £12,000 and £27,000.

'Cuts and bruises'

Pearce said: "I'm feeling fine. I trained yesterday and I'm only suffering from a few cuts and bruises.

"I'm just going to get on with my life again. My back is a bit stiff, but generally I'm OK.

"If the lorry had landed on the car in a different way I would probably be dead now. You could say I'm pleased. I'm all right.

"The pictures of the crash make it look much worse than the injuries I actually walked away with. At least now I have a new car because I do need to get about."