West Ham United stopper Calum Davenport has been given a fantastic boost as he bids to recover from an horrific stabbing incident, with doctors telling him that he will play again.

There were initial fears following the event that the former Spurs man would not play again, after an attacker inflicted a gaping wound on his leg outside the family home in Bedford.

But these fears have now been dispelled following another examination by doctor's recently.

The 26-year-old will have to endure a 15-inch scar on his leg, but given the initial prognosis then this is sure to be something Davenport will be content to cope with.

Given the horrendous nature of the former England U21 man's injury then there has been no timescale placed on his comeback, but doctors have assured the talent that he can play again, assuming there are no major hiccups in his rehabilitation.

Indeed, Davenport has been back amongst his team-mates at West Ham's training ground, and this is thought to have given him a major boost also.

"It's going to be a long way back for Calum but he was buzzing just to be among the lads again," said a Hammers insider.

"They're made up to see him. Everybody at the club realises what he's been through but it's not until you see Calum that you discover just how bad it was. Everybody at the club is just hoping he'll be back before too long."