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A brave eight-year-old who has battled leukaemia twice will have a dream come true when he leads his beloved Liverpool FC out at Villa Park later this month.

Joshua Jackson won a three-year battle with the disease in 2010 – only to be struck down again late last year.

But the Tipton youngster announced yesterday that he would be leading Steven Gerrard, Luiz Suarez and their Liverpool teammates onto the pitch at their game with Villa on Sunday, March 31. Joshua is currently in Birmingham Children’s Hospital undergoing chemotherapy.

The devoted football fan announced through his @Battling_joshua Twitter account: “Yeyyyyy, I’m going to mascot at villa park for LFC.”

Dozens of his supporters sent messages congratulating him and wishing him well for the big day.

He also sent messages to his favourite players, past and present, including Reds legend Kenny Dalglish. Joshua celebrated Christmas a month late in January because he had been stuck in hospital on December 25.

Mum Louise Smith and dad Andrew Jackson arranged a special festive gathering with family so Joshua could enjoy opening his presents at his Tipton home.

And the brave youngster was able to unwrap the telescope which had topped his list.