A FOOTBALL fan left fighting for his life after a brawl in Southampton is showing small signs of recovery.

It is the first glimmer of good news the family of Chris Jones, including his heavily pregnant girlfriend, have received since the incident which left the 21-year-old unconscious with a fractured skull.

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Yesterday doctors treating the soldier, who has just returned from a tour of duty of Afghanistan, reduced the medication that has been keeping him sedated.

According to step-dad Roy Underhill, Chris was showing small signs of responding. “It is a matter of waiting to see what happens next. They have reduced the medication and we are hoping that he does start to come around.

“According to the doctors there are some small positive signs of response so that is some good news at last,” he said.

Chris is due to become a dad for the first time as his girlfriend is expected to give birth in the next two weeks. His injuries mean he is likely to miss seeing the birth.

As reported in yesterday’s Daily Echo, Chris, from Pontyclun in South Wales, was in Southampton to watch his team Cardiff City on Saturday afternoon when the incident happened.

Following front page appeals for information, detectives say a number of witnesses had come forward.

They now know Chris had been refused entry to St Mary’s Stadium. He had subsequently got involved in a disagreement with another man outside a nearby pub at Anderson’s Road about half an hour after kick off.

It is thought Chris suffered a single blow to the head, which caused him to fall and hit his head on the pavement.

Detective Inspector Linda Howard from Shirley CID, who is leading the investigation, said: “We’ve spent a lot of time over the past few days speaking to various witnesses who were in the pub and surrounding area at the time of this assault to try and piece together what has happened.

“We believe the victim received one blow to the head causing him to fall to the ground and as a result has sustained some very serious injuries including a fractured skull and broken cheekbone.”

She added that police had ruled out any link to football violence and inquiries had shown it was not a prearranged fight.

Det Insp Howard added: “We do know the victim received a single blow to the head after a disagreement with another man and we are very keen to try and trace this other person and speak to them about what happened.

“If you haven’t already come forward, please feel reassured that you can come and talk to us in confidence.”

Anyone who has any information about the incident can contact Shirley CID quoting Operation Supervisor on 0845 045 4545 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.