POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a football fan suffered a fractured skull and a bleed on the brain after being attacked in Southampton.

Police say a man in his 50s was assaulted by a group of three men with a glass bottle in Lower Bannister Street on Wednesday between 11.10pm and 11.30pm.

A broken bottle was retrieved from the scene by officers investigating the incident.

Rebecca Stevens, from Western Investigations, said: “Prior to this incident the victim attended the Southampton vs West Ham United football match and then visited the Yates pub in Above Bar Street.

“We believe those involved in the incident had also been at this pub. If you have any information that can help us identify these three men, please contact us.”

One of the men is described as white, in his 20s, 6ft, and of stocky build. The other two are described as white, in their 20s and slim.

A police spokesperson said: "Did you see anyone acting suspiciously in the city centre or carrying a glass bottle around the time of the assault?

Do you know what happened or who was involved? Were you at the pub prior to the incident and did you see anything of note? Do you have relevant CCTV or dash cam footage of the incident?"

Anyone with information can call Hampshire police on 101 or report online, quoting 44220085815.