A MAN was fighting for his life today after being found with serious head injuries in the bedroom of a shared house in Southampton.

The victim, a Russian national believed to be in his 30s, was rushed to Southampton General Hospital, where his condition was described as critical.

Police had received a 999 call from someone in the house in Northumberland Road, St Mary's, around 4.15pm on Tuesday.

Officers called to the scene discovered the victim seriously injured in a bedroom, prompting detectives to launch an attempted murder inquiry.

The victim, who has not been named, was rushed by ambulance to hospital, where he remained in a critical condition in intensive care yesterday. It is understood around nine other people, all believed to be of Russian extraction, had been inside the property at the time.

A 28-year-old man was arrested at the scene and was being quizzed by detectives from Southampton Central CID last night.

Meanwhile house-to-house inquiries were continuing in the Northumberland Road area.

Today Detective Inspector Brian Mitchell appealed for anyone who has any information about the Boxing Day attack to come forward.

In particular, police want to trace a man who visited the house on the day of the assault and was seen to leave shortly before emergency services arrived.

Believed to be English, he was described as white, of medium height, with dark hair and wearing a black T-shirt and blue denim jeans.

Det Insp Mitchell said: "We are very keen to trace this individual in order to eliminate him from our enquiries.

"We would appeal for him to contact us as a matter of urgency."

Police said it did not appear any weapon had been used in the attack but it was not clear how the victim's injuries had occurred.

It is understood there were various "comings and goings" at the house on the day of the attack but this was not unusual at the premises.

All those living at the address are believed to be of Russian nationality. Police declined to give more details.