A Premier League footballer’s career may be hanging in the balance after he was allegedly stabbed by his sister’s boyfriend with a kitchen knife.

Worrell Whitehurst, 25, appeared at Bedford Magistrates’ Court today charged with attacking 26-year-old West Ham United player Calum Davenport in the town on Saturday.

Davenport suffered heavy bleeding after he was repeatedly stabbed in both legs.

Whitehurst, of Finsley Walk, Derby, is also charged with attacking the defender’s mother, 49-year-old Kim Stupple.

Whitehurst’s pregnant girlfriend, Cara Davenport, 28, the player’s sister, was in court.

As Whitehouse, who was dressed in blue jeans and a grey T-shirt, appeared in the dock Cara burst into tears.

As Whitehurst was led from the dock after being remanded in custody, he looked at his girlfriend.

Davenport has since undergone emergency surgery at Bedford Hospital and remained in a serious but stable condition today while his mother is recovering well, police said.

It is understood that he had been on a night out with friends before the alleged attack in the driveway of his mother’s home in Springfield Avenue, Bedford, at 5am on Saturday.

Davenport cost West Ham £3 million when he joined them from Tottenham during the summer of 2007.

He did not figure in the east London club’s first game of this season at Wolves last week and, after struggling to hold down a first-team place, has been linked with a move.

Bedford-born Davenport spent a spell on loan at Premier League rivals Sunderland last season and has also been loaned out to Watford.

The centre-back started his career at Coventry and has also played on loan at Southampton and Norwich.

Whitehurst will next appear at Luton Crown Court on November 16.

Cara Davenport, dressed in a black and white striped top and black leggings, left court this morning without making any comment.