Man Charged Over Attack on West Ham Footballer Calum Davenport

A 25-year-old man appeared in court today charged with causing grievous bodily harm to West Ham defender Calum Davenport, who is in a serious condition after being stabbed in both legs.

Worrel Whitehurst appeared at Bedford magistrates court this morning after allegedly attacking Davenport, 26, in the early hours of Saturday with a kitchen knife outside the home of the player's mother, Kim Stupple.

There are fears the attack could end the player's career.

Cara Davenport, Whitehurst's pregnant girlfriend and Calum Davenport's sister, was in court to watch the proceedings. She made no comment to reporters after leaving the court.

Whitehurst is also charged with causing actual bodily harm to Stupple, 49, as well as driving while disqualified and being in possession of a bladed article.

The attack on Davenport is thought to have taken place in the driveway of his mother's home in Bedford after the player returned from a night out with friends at 5am on Saturday.

Davenport suffered heavy bleeding and underwent emergency surgery at Bedford hospital. Police said he was in a serious but stable condition. His mother was said to be recovering well.

Whitehurst, who was arrested in Derby, was remanded in custody and will appear at Luton crown court on 16 November.

"We're very sorry about what happened. It's a terrible story," Gianfranco Zola, the West Ham manager, said yesterday.

"We can't imagine what [Davenport] has been through. The doctor told me that the situation is stable, he is OK. The situation will be clearer in the next few days. Now it's important that he's all right."

Davenport joined West Ham from Tottenham in the summer of 2007, costing £3m. After struggling to keep a place in the first team, he had been linked with a move. The defender did not play in the club's first game of the season, against Wolves last week, and has been loaned out to Sunderland and Watford during his time at West Ham. He started his career at Coventry and played for England under-21s.

Bedfordshire police said that a 19-year-old male also arrested in connection with the incident had been bailed pending further inquiries.