POLICE have released a photograph of a footballer who suffered serious facial injuries in an unprovoked assault.

Promising midfielder Stuart Holden, 19, needed surgery to repair a broken eye socket after he was battered by a gang of men outside the Tiger Tiger nightclub, in Newcastle.

Holden signed for Sunderland two months ago and is predicted to have a big future with the Championship promotion contenders.

Police say the attack did not have anything to do with the rivalry between Sunderland and neighbours Newcastle United.

Holden, who is American, was on a night out in Newcastle on Saturday when the thugs launched an unprovoked attack, leaving him with a fractured left eye socket.

A police spokesman said the attack happened when Mr Holden and his brother were waiting for a taxi in Newgate Street, near Newcastle's Gate leisure complex.

He was approached by four men, one of whom punched him in the face.

Sunderland manager Mick McCarthy slammed the yob responsible. He said: "It's a terrible thing. He's out having a bite to eat and he's the victim of a totally unprovoked attack.

"Hopefully, the police will be able to do something and bring this thug to justice, because it's shocking that something like this can happen - a lad that's doing nothing wrong attacked out of the blue."

Holden had been due to make his home debut for Sunderland Reserves against Manchester United, but was forced to withdraw because of injuries sustained in the attack.

He watched from the stands as his side were beaten 4-0.

Holden was a star of US college football, playing for Houston's Clemson Tigers, before joining the Texan Reds, where he was involved in cup success in 2002 and helped them become state champions last year.

He has also represented the US national team at under-18 and under-20 level.

He impressed in his first game for the Black Cats, a 1-0 defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers' second string, nine days ago, and has been tipped for a bright future in the game.

Holden had attracted the attention of Everton before Stadium of Light boss McCarthy offered him a trial two moths ago, then signed him until the end of the season.