“Mr Jackson pointed out, ‘Common sense tells me that if you are playing well clubs will be lining up to contract you and obviously if playing crap you have to look to yourself.’

“As a result of that exchange Aspinwall stood back and punched him very firmly to the face twice”, said Mr Barr.

Mr Jackson suffered a fractured left jaw.

When Aspinwall, 29, of Stirling Avenue, Ince, Wigan, pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm at an early court hearing.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that Aspinwall was taking prescribed medication for anxiety.

Imposing an eight-month jail sentence suspended for two years Judge Robert Warnock said: “This was a drunken incident when you should not have been drinking alcohol. You seriously injured a friend.

“Fortunately and purely by luck the injury has not produced long term disability. I am told this matter is based on anxiety. I am anxious that the public are protected from you in the context of this sort of violence.”

The court heard that he has no previous convictions but has two police cautions for assault.

The judge also ordered Aspinwall to carry out 275 hours unpaid work, saying that he was sure the probation service would put his skills to good use. Additionally he ordered him to pay his victim £1,500 compensation and £250 towards prosecution costs.