West Brom midfielder Ronnie Wallwork has been stabbed several times in an incident at a bar in Manchester.
The 29-year-old, on loan at Barnsley, was rushed to hospital with stab wounds to his hand, stomach and back.
Police, who were called to the Sugar Lounge in the city centre shortly after 2330 GMT on Thursday, do not believe the attack was random.
Wallwork is now in a stable condition and his injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.
He joined Barnsley on 23 November and has started two games since.
A statement on Barnsley's website read: "Barnsley can confirm that on-loan midfielder Ronnie Wallwork has been involved in an incident in Manchester last night.
"The club are deeply concerned about Ronnie and, although we do not know the full facts or circumstances surrounding the incident, we wish him a full and speedy recovery
Ronnie has been a model professional during his time at Barnsley and we will be liaising with West Bromwich Albion as to the best course of action."
West Brom echoed Barnsley's sentiments in their own statement which read:
"We are shocked and dismayed to hear that Ronnie Wallwork is in a Manchester hospital following an incident last night in which we understand he was stabbed several times.
"We are now making our own enquiries and are awaiting further details, but we have been informed by a member of Ronnie's family that he is in a stable condition."
Wallwork, a holding midfielder who can also play in defence, came though the youth system at Manchester United.
As he struggled to break into the first team Old Trafford, he was sent to Carlisle, Stockport and then Royal Antwerp on loan.
However, his spell in Belgium was marred by controversy when he was banned from football for life after he allegedly attacked a referee.
That punishment was reduced on appeal to just a one-year sanction which related only to Belgium.
Three years later, Wallwork was allowed to join West Brom on a free transfer after making just 28 appearances for United.
He was named the club's player of the year for 2004-05 when the Baggies escaped relegation, despite being bottom of the Premiership at Christmas.
But although he was given a new two-year contract in August, he fell out of favour when new manager Tony Mowbray arrived and was allowed to go out on loan to Barnsley.
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Ronnie Wallwork mugged
.......
there are some real idiots out there.
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