Premier League star Danny Drinkwater ‘attacked by thugs outside nightclub’

Burnley FC’s Danny Drinkwater faces four weeks on the sidelines after he was assaulted outside a club in Manchester last weekend.

It’s reported he picked up ankle ligament damage after he was attacked by a group of six men outside the Chinawhite club on Deansgate in the city.

Burnley and Chelsea, his parent club, both reported Drinkwater had been sidelined with an ankle injury, but The Sun on Sunday today revealed details of the attack, during which a group allegedly jumped on his ankle.

Burnley FC confirmed the injury had occurred away from the training ground.

Drinkwater, who has three England caps, will be sidelined after he tore ankle ligaments during the incident.

He was also left with a black eye, severely swollen forehead, bruised shoulders and arms and a cut cheek.

The incident was not reported to police and Drinkwater is thought to have fled to Spain after it happened.

It comes not long after the troubled player was banned for drink-driving in May and is also reported to have fallen out with some of his family.

Drinkwater’s career has stalled since he won the Premier League title in 2016 and he was transferred to Chelsea for £35million.

He has not played in the Premier League for 18 months and made his debut in The Claret’s Carabo cup defeat to Sunderland on August 28.

Metro.co.uk has contacted an agent for Drinkwater.