Footballer hurt in stab attack

Former Manchester United star Ronnie Wallwork, who trained as a youngster in Shropshire, has been stabbed in a nightclub attack, police have said today.

The footballer is now in hospital being treated for injuries to the hand, stomach and back.

Wallwork, who played 19 league games for the Red Devils, was stabbed at the Sugar Lounge bar in Manchester city centre last night.

The 29-year-old midfielder, a West Bromwich Albion player currently on loan at Barnsley, is a product of the FA National School of Excellence at Lilleshall, near Telford.

It is not known what type of weapon was used. Police were called to the bar at around 11.30pm following reports that a man had been stabbed. Wallwork was taken to hospital with wounds and is now in a stable condition.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: "Detectives believe this was not a random attack and are making further inquiries to trace the offender."

Wallwork moved from Manchester United to West Bromwich Albion in 2002.

Defensive midfielder Wallwork was on the fringes of the United first team and spent plenty of time on the bench.

In 1996 he was named United's Young Player of the Year, and in the 2000/01 season he made enough appearances to qualify for a Premiership winners' medal.

He recently joined League One side Barnsley on loan from West Brom, hoping to salvage his flagging career.

Wallwork has been involved in controversy before. He was given a life ban from football for attacking a referee while on loan playing for Antwerp in Belgium. The ban was later rescinded.