Man charged over Davenport attack

Soccer:A 25-year-old man was on Monday charged in connection with a knife attack on West Ham defender Calum Davenport, police said.

Worrell Whitehurst, of Finsley Walk, Derby, was charged with grievous bodily harm after the 26-year-old player was allegedly stabbed in Bedford on Saturday.

Bedfordshire Police said Whitehurst was also charged with causing actual bodily harm to Davenport's 49-year-old mother, as well as driving whilst disqualified and possession of a bladed article.

He will appear at Bedford Magistrates' Court later today.

A 19-year-old man arrested shortly after the incident was released on police bail pending further inquiries, police said.

A spokeswoman for the force said: "A man has now been charged and is due to appear at Bedford magistrates' court this morning."

Davenport today remained in a serious but stable condition while his mother is "recovering well", police added.

The defender, a former England Under-21 international, underwent emergency surgery at Bedford Hospital for stab wounds to both legs after an incident at his mother's home in Springfield Avenue, Bedford, at 5am on Saturday.

Davenport cost West Ham €3.5million when he joined from Tottenham during the summer of 2007.

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

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.