THESE are the horrific injuries that ended the rugby career of Wigan-Irishman Sean Gleeson after he was attacked outside a nightclub.
The shocking images reveal the true impact of the savage beating that the young rugby league star says ‘ruined his life’.
They show the 26-year-old lying in a hospital bed covered in blood and with huge swelling around his right eye.
Mr Gleeson, who represented Ireland at the 2008 Rugby League World Cup, posted the photographs on Twitter last week after doctors told him he would never play professional rugby again.
“These are the injuries from the assault #dogs #ruinedmylife,” he wrote in a message on the social networking site.
Mr Gleeson was on a night out at Ibiza Bar in Wigan on March 2 this year when a group set upon him.
It came just as he was hoping to re-start his career after suffering an injury-blighted 2013 season that saw him make just a handful of appearances for Hull KR following his transfer to the Humberside club that year.
Although he was taken straight to hospital and has received multiple operations in the months since the attack, the full-back has been forced to retire.
A statement from Hull KR said he had been advised to hang up his boots by medical experts.
“It is with saddened regret that I have made the decision to retire from the great sport of rugby league,” added Mr Gleeson, who also played as a centre and winger.
The news was met with an outpouring of support from rugby league fans across Britain.
“Devastating for everyone, such a good player having to retire so young from something he worked hard for,” wrote one fan.
The player then took to Twitter again to thank people for their support.
He said: “Finally feeling better after my 3rd operation hope this is my last. Thanks to everyone for the love and support #respect.”
Although police launched an appeal at the time of the attack and released CCTV of the incident, no one has been charged.
Two men, aged 21 and 24, arrested on suspicion of assault, were released on bail until later this month pending further inquiries.
A third man, 28, was released without charge.
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