Calum Davenport joined West Ham from Tottenham

Two men have been arrested over the stabbing of West Ham United footballer Calum Davenport and his mother, police have said.

Mr Davenport, 26, had emergency surgery on both legs following the attack at their home in Kempston, near Bedford.

A 25-year-old man has been arrested in Derby on suspicion of attempted murder, and is being brought to Bedford, Bedfordshire Police said.

A man, 19, who was arrested earlier, remains in police custody.

Police said the mother and son were set upon in the early hours in Springfield Avenue.

West Ham said its thoughts were with the player and his family.

Mr Davenport is reportedly being treated at Bedford Hospital South Wing, with his girlfriend Zoe at his bedside.

Reports of shouting

A West Ham spokesman said Mr Davenport's mother, 49, was recovering but the player was in a serious condition.

The road has been cordoned off as police carry out house-to-house inquiries and a forensic examination of the scene.

Ann Desics, 61, who lives in Springfield Avenue, said she was woken by people arguing in the road outside the house shortly before 0500 BST.

"I just thought it was people passing by but then the ambulances came," she said.

"I didn't see the incident, I just heard all this shouting. The main person shouting had a very strong Caribbean accent."

She added that the street was cordoned off for some time after Mr Davenport was taken to hospital and there was "quite a lot" of blood on the road.

Another neighbour said: "The police would not tell us what was going on, but I saw a lot of blood."

A neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: "There was some sort of row early this morning.

"We heard some shouting. He was stabbed in the leg several times. His mum was there and was attacked as well."

Two men are being held over the attacks

The former England under-21 international defender joined West Ham from Tottenham for £3m in 2007.

He did not figure in West Ham's first game of the season at Wolves last week and had been linked to a move away from the club after struggling to maintain a first-team place.

He had a spell on loan at Sunderland last season and has also played for Coventry City. He also had loan spells at Norwich City and Southampton while at Tottenham.

A West Ham spokesman said: "The club's medical team are in contact with hospital staff.

"The thoughts of everyone at West Ham are with Calum and his family and, due to the on-going investigation, no further information will be released."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version