Really really sick
News of The World
Hammers star Calum knifed Docs battle to save player's leg
By Amanda Evans & Matthew Drake, 23/08/2009
A PREMIER LEAGUE football star was fighting for his life last night after crazed thugs repeatedly stabbed him in BOTH LEGS.
West Ham defender Calum Davenport's mum was also knifed in the horror attack at her house.
It is thought the attackers were determined to ensure dad-of-one Calum, 26, never plays again.
Sources last night said his injuries were so severe his left leg may have to be amputated - and the next 48 hours are critical.
The knife severed a main artery, causing Calum to lose PINTS of blood. Surgeons yesterday battled for FOUR HOURS to save his life.
He needed a major blood transfusion and was for a time put on a life support machine.
Last night the player - whose wife is seven months pregnant with their second child - was in intensive care at hospital in Bedford.
A police guard was put on the door of his private cubicle.
His mum Kim Stupple, 49, was in a "serious condition" in the same hospital with stomach wounds. A source said: "It looks like Calum was stabbed twice in each leg. The next day or so are crucial. He suffered huge blood loss, which is why they operated for so long.
"Everyone close to him is very, very concerned. His mum appears to be out of danger but things are much, much worse for Calum."
West Ham bosses have sent their chief medical officer Nikos Tzouroudis to the hospital. A spokesman said: "Our thoughts are with Calum and his family."
It is thought the 6ft 4ins defender - who signed for the Hammers for £3million in 2007 - was involved in a family row soon before the knifing. He had been on a golf day with pals on Friday then went to his mum's semi-detached home in Kempston, Beds, that evening.
His sister Cara, 28, was also at the house, which Calum bought for his mum. He is thought to have told Cara he did not like the crowd she was mixing with.
Soon afterwards two men turned up with a knife. A source said: "The family have been worried for a long time about the types of people Cara hangs about with.
"Calum mentioned this to her and a little while later there was a knock at the door. Calum opened it and that's when the attack happened."
The fight spilled on to the street and cops were called at 5am. Yesterday Calum's distraught wife Zoey - mum to his four-year-old daughter Angel-Skye - was being comforted by relatives at A&E.
Cops cordoned off the road where his mum lives road for several hours while they carried out forensic tests and inquiries.
Last night a police spokesman said two men, aged 19 and 25, had been arrested in connection with the attack and were being questioned at stations in Bedford - where Calum and Zoey also have their home.
Two years ago, Calum - who joined West Ham from Tottenham - suffered a broken bone in his neck after a clash on the pitch.
Last week Nottingham Forest confirmed they were hoping to get the former England under-21star player on loan to solve their defensive crisis.
www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/news/466189/Hammers-star-Calum-knifed-Docs-battle-to-save-Davenportrsquos-leg.html
