UPDATE: Police have now released details in relation to the early-morning assault in Rutherford which hospitalised a man in his 20s.
About 5am Sunday Port Stephens-Hunter police were called to a service station on Regiment Road, Rutherford, to reports of an assault.
Police have been told two men, aged 25 and 28, left a hotel on the New England Highway about 3am and were walking west when they were approached by three unknown men.
The trio spoke briefly with the two men before hitting the 25-year-old over the head with a glass bottle and knocking him unconscious, then attacking the older man and demanding cash and both the men's mobile phones.
The group then fled and were last seen heading east on Harvey Road.
The injured men sought assistance at a nearby service station. They are both now receiving treatment for their injuries at Maitland Hospital.
As inquires continue police would like to speak with three men who may be able to assist with their inquiries.
They have been described as being of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander appearance, between 160-180cm tall, and wearing hooded jumpers.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to call Maitland Police on (02) 4934 0200 or Crime Stoppers.
EARLIER REPORT: POLICE have cordoned off the scene of a reported assault in Rutherford on Sunday morning.
Officers are investigating after a man was allegedly attacked and injured in the early morning on the New England Highway, opposite Norm Chapman Oval.
Paramedics were called to the scene at 5.20am, but it is understood the reported assault could have happened several hours earlier.
A man in his 20s was treated for lacerations to the face and taken to Maitland Hospital in a stable condition. A second man was treated at the scene but did not require transport to hospital.
An area near the Rutherford Cemetery has been identified as the possible site of the incident. Police remained on scene on Sunday at 9am and are investigating the events leading up to the attack.
More details on the situation are expected to be released later today.
