AN ex-professional footballer is running rings around his former stomping grounds as part of a mammoth charity challenge in tribute to his late mentor.

Llanelli's Matthew Jones will be taking part in a number of half and full marathons in preparation for the London Marathon in April.

The 31-year-old ex-Leeds United, Leicester City and Wales midfielder will clock up more than 1,000 miles to raise cash for the charities favoured by former Wales boss Gary Speed — the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and the John Hartson Foundation.

The dad of three, who retired from the Premier League in 2004 following a serious back injury, will also raise funds for the Spinal Injuries Association.

During his career, Matthew played both alongside and against the popular Wales star — who died in November — and said he owed a lot of his success to the man he idolised.

"Gary's death completely hit me for six," he said.

"He really looked after me in my training days at Leeds, he had a massive input into my career and how I played.

"A lot of what I've achieved is down to him — he taught me the right attitude to have and he was my idol.

"I completely looked up to him, and I was in a privileged position where I could train alongside him so I was very lucky."

Matthew completed a half- marathon inside Leicester City's ground on Saturday and will be undertaking a full marathon at the memorial game for Speed between Wales and Costa Rica at the Cardiff City Stadium on February 29.

The football pundit then takes on half-marathons at Leeds United's Elland Road on March 17 and Swansea City's Liberty Stadium on April 7 — the club he played for in his youth.

The London Marathon takes place on April 22, and Matthew said he was already mentally prepared for the gruelling challenge.

"I am training hard — the runs should leave me physically prepared, and I am in the gym a lot," said Matthew, who also played a season for Llanelli Football Club.

"But the most important thing is being ready for it in my head — the London Marathon is a massive task for me.

"There was a point when I was injured where I thought I would never put on a pair of boots again, let alone run the marathon.

"I'm ready for the 20-mile wall — I know that if I just think of Gary then I'll smash my way through it.

"It's all for Gary, and I like to think that he would be proud of my efforts. Thinking of him, and the great attitude he had to the game, is a massive motivation for me."

To sponsor Matthew visit www.justgiving.com/mattjones7 or text MATT73 and an amount to 70070.