TWO MEN were beaten unconscious by football associates who were celebrating FA Cup success with players from Portsmouth Football Club, police said today.

The men, aged 23 and 21, were kicked and punched until they lost consciousness outside a take-away in Bournemouth, Dorset, in the early hours of Sunday March 9, 2008.

Detective Constable Adrian Turner, of Bournemouth CID, said: ''The two suspects were celebrating in Bournemouth with a group of Portsmouth Premiership footballers after the team beat Manchester United in the FA Cup competition the previous day.

''There is a strong possibility that the two suspects travelled south with the players from the Old Trafford football ground in Manchester.

''I've identified one suspect but I'm still unable to identify the second man who I believe was involved in the assault.

''I've made enquiries with Portsmouth Football Club in an attempt to identify the unknown man but despite this I have yet to establish his identity - and my enquiries will continue until I know who he is.'' Officers have released CCTV images of a man they want to interview about the attack which saw the victims knocked unconscious after being punched and kicked on the floor.

The men, from Bournemouth, were both badly injured in the attack. The elder man's face was cut and needed stitches and both men had badly bruised heads. They were released from Poole Hospital later that day.

''I believe that the man in the CCTV pictures has information that is vital to the on-going investigation into these serious assaults that put two men in hospital,'' added Mr Turner.

A 27-year-old London man was arrested in connection with the incident and has since been released on police bail while inquiries continue.

Anyone with information should call Dorset Police on 01202 22 22 22 or 01305 22 22 22 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.