Respected British rugby league journalist in coma after brutal attack in London

British rugby league writer Gary Carter with his wife Gemma. Photo/Gemma Carter Twitter.

A respected British rugby league journalist is battling for his life in a London hospital following a street attack that left him with a severe brain injury.

Gary Carter, a 35-year-old freelance writer from Greater Manchester, is in an induced coma following emergency surgery to remove a blood clot from his brain.

Carter, known as Gaz, was in London to cover yesterday's second test between England and the Kiwis, but fell victim to an assault in Bethnall Green as he was walking back to his hotel in the early hours of Friday morning (Saturday NZT).

The Manchester Evening News have reported that doctors are monitoring the swelling around the injury in the hope he can be revived. It is too early to tell if he has suffered brain damage.

His wife and family are maintaining a bedside vigil and have received hundreds of messages of support from friends and well-wishers from within the international rugby league community, including England coach Steve McNamara.

"Doctors have told us to be prepared for any eventuality," his wife, Gemma, told The Manchester Evening News.

"I just need him to pull through. Gaz is the kindest, nicest man ever, he keeps himself to himself, he's so chilled out. He'd never hurt anyone or say anything bad about anyone. I just can't believe this has happened, it's like living in a nightmare.

"I can't imagine why anyone would do this."

She added: "It's been amazing, it's just so reassuring to know how loved and highly regarded he is.

"Everyone has been so supportive and it's just brilliant.

"There are hundreds of messages, I can't keep up - Twitter, Facebook, Whatsapp, phone calls, emails. It just shows everybody loves Gaz. We need him to get well."

Former Warrior and injured England fullback Sam Tomkins tweeted a message of support to Mrs Carter, saying: "He's a good guy who Iv always enjoyed working with. We're all supporting him. Let me know if there's anything i can do."

A 35-year-old man has been charged with grievous bodily harm and a 22-year-old man was arrested for affray and released on bail until late November.