POLICE have today named a football fan who is still fighting for his life four days after being attacked in a fight near the St Mary's stadium involving rival supporters.

The 45-year-old married man has been named as Jamie Turner from Madeley, Telford. He has been unconscious since being hit over the head with a baseball bat as he walked with a group of friends to Sunday's premiership clash.

The businessman suffered life threatening head injuries and remains in a critical condition at Southampton General Hospital where his wife Karen and other family members were today holding a bedside vigil.

His wife said: "It appears that Jamie was ambushed totally at random by a group of people who were intent on causing trouble before the game."

She added: "We are now left in limbo waiting to see what the extent of his injuries will be, or even whether he will survive. It is going to be a long process."

The couple's two children Kirsty and Liam are being looked after by friends at the family home.

The incident happened at 2.55pm on Sunday, shortly before the kick-off of Saints relegation match against Manchester United when a large group of people started fighting in Clifford Street and outside The Gladstone.

More than 15 detectives are currently working on the case and several officers have travelled to Manchester to speak to eye witnesses. However, police are keen to trace more people from the Southampton area who saw the attack.

Det Insp Chris Fitchet, who is leading the investigation, said: "I would urge any witness who hasn't yet come forward to contact us as soon as possible so we can piece together exactly what happened."

Anyone with information can contact Shirley CID on 0845 045 4545 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.