A man was hit over the head with a glass bottle which was then used to stab him in the stomach in a brutal assault in Edinburgh.

The 20-year-old was rushed to hospital following the attack in Bruntsfield in the early hours of Monday morning.

He needed 11 stitches in his stomach, but has since been discharged.

A police spokesman said: “This was a brutal assault which could have ended with the victim suffering even more serious injury, and we are appealing for any information that can assist us in identifying those responsible."

The man was walking with friends when they became involved in an argument with another group of males. The argument escalated and the victim was set upon by two men, one brandishing the bottle.

The first suspect is described as white,  aged 20 to 22-years-old, 5'9" to 5'10" tall and stocky. He had dark hair which was spiked at the front and was wearing a white short-sleeved shirt and blue jeans.

The other suspect is described as around 20-years-old, 5'7" to 5'8" and stocky, with short dark hair. He was wearing a dark suit and a blue shirt.

The police spokesman continued: “Anyone who was in the area of Bruntsfield Place between 3am and 4am on Monday morning, who saw the incident take place, or who saw the suspects in the Bruntsfield or Morningside area after the incident took place, is asked to contact police immediately.

“Similarly, anyone with any information that can help us identify the suspects should also get in touch.”