DETECTIVES hunting the killer of an Afghan asylum seeker in Southampton are appealing to a group of men who had a fight with an Asian man in the city on Saturday night to get in touch so they can be eliminated from a murder enquiry.

Officers are keen to speak to anyone involved in the row outside popular night-spot Mustang Sally's in Cavendish Road.

The incident may be linked to the death of a 22-year-old Afghan asylum seeker who died two days after being assaulted in the city.

The man, who has not been identified, returned to his Ancasta Road home in Bevois Valley after a Saturday night out, complaining of being attacked.

Murder squad detectives believe he was hit round the head with a weapon like a bottle as he headed home.

He went to bed but felt sick and giddy on Sunday. His housemates found him unconscious in bed on Monday lunchtime and could not rouse him. He was pronounced dead soon afterwards.

Tragically, police now believe the victim would have survived if he had sought medical treatment.

Police are working with the Afghanistan embassy to trace his relatives and inform them of his death.

A new witness who saw an Asian-looking man in a fight with a group of men at the junction of London Road and Cavendish Road has sparked the appeal for those involved to come forward.

Police are keen to speak to the victim, the other men, any witnesses and anyone who saw or was involved in any fight in the city between 11pm on Saturday and 2am on Sunday.

A force spokeswoman said: "A witness has told the inquiry team how she saw a group of men having an altercation with a man of Asian appearance. Officers are keen to trace all those involved in order to eliminate them from their enquiries."

Meanwhile, officers have seized CCTV footage of the area and are studying it to discover what happened to the 22-year-old asylum seeker.

Anyone with information should contact the Operation Brindle incident room on 0845 0454545.