DETECTIVES were today set to speak for the first time to a Manchester United fan who has regained consciousness following a brutal assault in Southampton last month.

Jamie Turner, 45, pictured above, had been in a coma after being attacked with a baseball bat prior to Saints' last game of the season having travelled to the city to watch the relegation decider at St Mary's.

The father-of-two was transferred from Southampton General Hospital to a hospital in his hometown of Telford where he has now come out of his coma and started talking to family and staff.

His wife Karen and their two children aged 13 and 18 have remained by his bedside since the attack that they feared could have claimed his life.

Speaking about her husband's dramatic improvement Mrs Turner said: "I'd like to thank the public for their overwhelming support following this awful incident. We will always be grateful to the doctors and nurses at the Wessex Neurological unit who saved his life at Southampton General and those at the hospital in Telford who continue to care for him.''

Detectives from Hampshire's major crime team were today planning to travel to Telford in the hope of speaking to Mr Turner as soon as possible.

Leading the inquiry Detective Inspector Paul Barton said: "This is good news for Jamie and his family. We also hope once we get to speak to Jamie that we will get a clearer picture of what actually happened that afternoon which could help lead us to whoever attacked him.'' However, we are sure there are still witnesses to this incident who know who is responsible and who, for whatever reason, have not yet told us. I would urge them to come forward.''

Detectives have since been working on a number of new leads surrounding the incident that occurred at 2.55pm on May 15, when a large group of people started fighting outside The Gladstone Club at the junction of Clifford Street and Golden Grove. Anyone can contact the Operation Carolina team on 0845 045 4545 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111