A YOUNG Glenavon player is in hospital with a broken jaw and other injuries after allegedly being attacked by an opponent.

The incident, being investigated by the RUC, happened in the tunnel area at the end of the Irish League Premier Division derby with Portadown.

Glenavon mid-fielder Darren Murphy, who had earlier scored in the 1-1 draw, was rushed to hospital, where it was confirmed his jaw was broken. The 21-year-old, who, ironically, comes from Portadown, is unlikely to play for six weeks.

The result virtually knocks Glenavon out of title contention and drops Portadown to joint bottom-of-the-table, where only goal difference separates them from Cliftonville.

Coleraine consolidated their position at the top by beating second-placed Crusaders at the Showgrounds to move out into a five-point lead.