Former Ipswich Town player stabbed

FORMER Ipswich Town midfielder Paolo Vernazza is believed to be recovering today, after being stabbed in his home.

The 21-year-old former Arsenal man, now plying his trade for Watford, was today reported to have received leg injuries when attacked by an intruder at his home in Finsbury Park, London.

Vernazza's condition is not thought to be serious, although a friend who was with him at the time of the attack is in a "critical but stable" condition after being stabbed in the chest.

A Scotland Yard spokesperson said: "Two men returned to a house in Portland Drive at 4am on Tuesday to find a man carrying out a burglary. They confronted the man, who then stabbed the tenant in the leg and the other man in the chest.

"Both men are aged 21, but we cannot confirm further details. The suspect made away on foot from the scene, dropping several items on the way. The victims were both taken to East London Hospital. The man with the leg injury has since been discharged, but the man with the chest wounds is in a critical but stable condition."

He did not deny the stabbing victim was Vernazza.

Watford Football Club has not yet commented on the incident.

Vernazza, who was born in Islington, London, started his career with Arsenal, making his debut in 1997, aged just 18.

However, he played just once in the full team, and never made the starting line-up in a league game.

He played twice for Ipswich Town in 1998, after being loaned from Arsenal, appearing in the 1-0 defeat to Norwich City and the 1-0 victory over Swindon Town.

After further loan spells with various clubs, he was transferred from Arsenal to Watford at the tail end of 2000, and became a hit with boss Graham Taylor.

Since his move he has featured in nearly 40 games for the Hertfordshire club.