The wife of a rugby league journalist has seen support flood in after her husband was attacked in London.
Freelance sports journalist Gary Carter was found in Bethnal Green in the early hours of Friday suffering serious head injuries. He'd been covering the England v New Zealand match at the Olympic Stadium.
Gemma Carter said she’s been told to take his recovery “an hour at a time”.
“He’s heavily sedated because they’re waiting for the swelling on his brain to go down," she explained.
Mr Carter, 36, who often writes for The Sun, was involved in an altercation outside Bethnal Green station.
Police were called to the scene and found the Carbrook-based Mr Carter at around 1am. James Flanagan, 35, of Kentish Town, has been charged with causing grievous bodily harm.
Mrs Carter has received positive tweets from the likes of former football star Alan Shearer and Wigan Warriors and England player Sam Tomkins.
Tomkins tweeted: "He's a good guy who I've always enjoyed working with. We're all supporting him."
And Shearer tweeted: "Best wishes to @garyCarter_1979 for a full recovery after suffering an awful attack last week."
Mrs Carter has been married to her husband for four years and told the BBC that she’s “trying to stay calm and keep positive and draw on all the support that I’m getting from social media and the family to stay strong.”
She added: "I've just replied to a tweet from Alan Shearer and I'm getting them from lots of rugby league players and managers.
“They're coming from all over the world. It's amazing and it really lifts us. It just goes to show how well-respected he is."
Chev Walker from the Bradford Bulls tweeted: “Hope you are ok, praying that Gaz makes a speedy recovery."
Huddersfield Giants’ Leroy Cudjoe also offered words of encouragement.
“Praying for Gary Carter to pull through," he said. "My thoughts are with his family and friends.”
Mr Carter was taken to the Royal London Hospital on Friday. He was taken to surgery immediately to remove a blood clot on his brain.
He’d travelled to London on Thursday to report on the England v New Zealand clash.
His wife was told the news at around 2.20am on Friday morning and drove down to be with him. According to the Manchester Evening News, Mrs Carter and family remain there with him and read messages to him.
Mrs Carter also added that he “loves his job with a passion” and hopes he’ll be able to listen to upcoming games on the radio.
Following England's defeat to the Kiwis, national coach Steve McNamara remarked: "The England team sends its best wishes to him and his family and hope he makes a full and speedy recovery."
