A teenage rugby player was left with a fractured skull and a bleed on the brain after being mowed down by a car and hit over the head with a golf club on Saturday, in what is being treated as a possible hate crime.

Matthew Hayden, 17, needed emergency surgery for the bleed following the terrifying late night assault in Rochdale, Greater Manchester.

His friend and teammate Josh Jones, 18, was also beaten with a crowbar, suffering injuries to his hands and face at the hands of four or five Asian men, who allegedly hurled racial abuse at the innocent trio as they tried to flee, police say.

Police have not confirmed the exact details of the incident, but a spokesman for Littleborough RUFC, said the attack came as the friends, who play for the club's Colts U18s side, were driving around Rochdale in the early hours of Saturday.

Matthew Hayden, 17, needed emergency surgery for the bleed following the terrifying late night assault in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, on Saturday. His friend and teammate Josh Jones, 18, was also beaten with a crowbar, suffering injuries to his hands and face

As they travelled along Kiln Lane and Wildhouse Lane, in Milnrow, four men in a Nissan Micra following them and seemed to be trying to ram their car.

Moments later at a roundabout on Smithy Bridge Road, near Hollingworth Lake, the Micra smashed into the back of the rugby players' vehicle.

When Mr Hayden got out of the car to remonstrate with the gang, the Micra drove into him, flipping him over the bonnet, the spokesman said.

One of the four men in the car then got out and hit over the head with a golf club, believed to be a nine iron.

At the same time two other members of the gang smashed the driver's side window and repeatedly hit Josh with a crowbar, injuring his hands and face.

After hearing the noise neighbours and nurses from a nearby care home ran outside and shouted at the gang, forcing them to flee.

Police have not confirmed the exact details of the incident, but a spokesman for Littleborough RUFC, said the attack came as the friends, who play for the club's Colts U18s side, were driving around Rochdale in the early hours of Saturday

A third friend Zac Madden, who was a passenger in the car, managed to escape unharmed.

At this stage police have not released descriptions of the offenders or given any details of the motivation behind the attack.

Matthew is now recovering following surgery in Salford Royal Hospital. But he's been forced to cancel a scholarship at a university in America this summer and it is feared he may never play rugby again.

Mr Hayden was mowed down by a Nisan Micra before four gang members got out of the car and battered the defenceless teen. One of the attackers hit Mr Hayden over the head with a nine-iron golf club, while Mr Jones was assaulted with a crowbar by two other attackers

Aaron Jones, from Littleborough RUFC, said: 'It has shocked everyone at the club. Matthew and Josh are down-to-earth lads, they're not trouble makers.

'They've been playing for first team and really made a big impression on people at the club.

'Everyone is relieved they are alright. Matthew knows he is lucky to be alive and we just want those who did this to be caught.'

Matthew is now recovering following surgery in Salford Royal Hospital. But he's been forced to cancel a scholarship at a university in America this summer and it is feared he may never play rugby again

Detective Inspector Mark McDowall of GMP's Rochdale borough, said: 'The man is still in hospital recovering from this brutal assault and I hope he makes a speedy recovery.

'This was an unprovoked attack that has left the victim with life changing injuries, so it's vital that we find the people responsible for this horrendous incident.

'Even though this happened in the early hours of the morning, I'd urge anyone who heard or saw anything out of the ordinary on Smithy Bridge Road, or who saw the men in the black Nissan Micra at any time, to get in touch.

'They are described as being four or five Asian males, of thin build and aged between late teens to early twenties.

'Our officers will be carrying out additional patrols in the area while the investigation continues, so I'd ask that you speak to them directly or ring 0161 856 8441 if you have any information.'

Reports can also be made anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 quoting incident number 274 of 02/06/18.