Messages of support have poured in for a rugby league journalist who is fighting for his life after he was found in the street with head injuries.

Freelance writer Gary Carter, 35, who covers matches for The Sun, was attacked outside Bethnal Green station in east London in the early hours of Friday.

Mr Carter, from Stalybridge, Greater Manchester, had visited the capital to report on Saturday’s test match between England and New Zealand.

His family are at his bedside at the Royal London Hospital where he is in a medically induced coma.

Among those to pass on messages are Huddersfield Giants stars Eorl Crabtree and Leroy Cudjoe.

England coach Steve McNamara passed on his good wishes at the post-match press conference following his team’s 9-2 defeat.

He said: “The England team sends its best wishes to him and his family and hope he makes a full and speedy recovery.”

While Mr Carter’s wife, Gemma, tweeted: “Pray for my husband #rlfamily xxxxx”

Among the many messages of support online were rugby league professionals Eorl Crabtree, of Huddersfield Giants, who said: “so sorry and truly gutted to hear this awful news about Gaz” and Rob Burrow, of Leeds Rhinos, who posted: “Hope for a speedy recovery! thinking about him. Rob.”

Eorl Crabtree pictured with Ruddi Waterford-Jones

Giants’ centre Leroy Cudjoe, who is with the England squad, said: “Praying for Gary Carter to pull through. My thoughts are with his family and friends.”

Wigan Warriors player Sam Tomkins tweeted Mrs Carter: “He’s a good guy who Iv always enjoyed working with. We’re all supporting him. Let me know if there’s anything i can do.”

BBC football pundit and former Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle striker Alan Shearer tweeted: “Best wishes to @garyCarter-1979 for a full recovery after suffering an awful attack last week.”

A 35-year-old man, from London, has been charged with causing grievous bodily harm and appeared in court on Saturday.