Calum Davenport stabbed in legs

Calum Davenport stabbed in legs

Two men were in custody on Saturday after West Ham defender Calum Davenport was stabbed in both legs.

A 25-year-old man was arrested in Derby on suspicion of attempted murder following the attack on Davenport, 26, at his family home in Bedford.

Bedfordshire Police said the man was due to be escorted to Bedford for questioning.

A spokeswoman for the force said a 19-year-old man arrested earlier remains in custody in the town's Greyfriars police station.

Davenport was taken to Bedford Hospital by ambulance with his mother, 49, who was also injured in the attack in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Their injuries are not thought to be life-threatening, according to police.

Davenport, a former England Under-21 international, underwent emergency surgery on Saturday morning.

A spokesman for the hospital said: "His condition is serious but stable and his mother is in a stable condition."

Neighbours on leafy Springfield Avenue described "noisy" scenes before emergency services arrived.

Davenport cost West Ham £3million when he joined them from Tottenham during the summer of 2007.

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

The Hammers said the club's thoughts were with the family.

A club statement added: "His mum is recovering while Calum underwent surgery this morning and his injuries were described as serious by doctors.

"The club's medical team are in contact with hospital staff.

"The thoughts of everyone at West Ham are with Calum and his family."

A spokeswoman for Bedfordshire Police said: "Police were called to Springfield Avenue in Kempston at 5am after a report of a person being stabbed.

"A 26-year-old man was taken to hospital for treatment for serious injury which is not thought to be life-threatening at this time.

"A 19-year-old man was arrested shortly after the incident in connection with the assault.

"But the investigation is still ongoing and house-to-house inquiries, scenes of crime officers and a cordon are at the scene at this moment in time."

The spokeswoman later confirmed a 49-year-old woman was also injured and taken to hospital, with officers planning to speak to her tonight.

She added: "A further man, a 25-year-old man, has also been arrested.

"He has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

"He was arrested in Derby and he is due to be escorted back to Bedfordshire for questioning this evening."

Gary Sanderson, spokesman for the East of England Ambulance Service, said two ambulances and a fast response car were sent to the scene.

He said: "We were alerted to Springfield Avenue in Kempston shortly after 5am this morning to a report of an assault.

"Two patients, a man and a woman, were treated and stabilised by paramedics before being taken to Bedford Hospital (South Wing) with non life threatening injuries."

Bedford-born Davenport spent a spell on loan at Premier League rivals Sunderland last season and has also been loaned out to Watford.

The centre-back started his career at Coventry and has also played on loan at Southampton and Norwich.