Police have appealed for information after Jamaal Lascelles was involved in a violent brawl in Newcastle city centre at 4am on Sunday morning.
The Newcastle captain was on a night out with his younger brother and friend following the Magpies' 1-0 defeat against Manchester City on Saturday before a 'violent attack' broke out.
It is said a man elbowed Lascelles' 19-year-old sibling in the throat in an 'unproved attack', prompting the Newcastle defender to involve himself.
The gang allegedly 'threatened to shoot' Lascelles during the mass brawl, which occurred after the English defender left nightclub Chinawhite in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Police confirmed on Monday that an investigation into the brawl has been launched and have now made an appeal for more information on the incident.
A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: 'Shortly after 4am on Sunday, August 20, we received a report of disorder involving a number of people on Westgate Road, in Newcastle city centre.
'Officers attended however it is believed that those involved had already left the scene before they arrived.
'Enquiries are ongoing and anyone with information should use the 'Tell Us Something' page of our website or call 101, quoting NP-20230820-0227.'
After Lascelles' brother was reportedly elbowed, one on-looker claims the centre-half stepped in a pushed the man away.
It is alleged a bottle of vodka was then thrown towards Lascelles and missed his head narrowly. A group of 'six to eight' men then reportedly 'attacked' the 29-year-old star which led to him being 'punched from all angles'.
It is said he managed to throw one of the men to the floor, but his brother was 'punched in the face and was bleeding'. Their friend, meanwhile, was 'kicked in the head and knocked unconscious'. It was during the fracas that the group are alleged to have said they were going to 'shoot' Lascelles.
In a video seen by Mail Sport, Lascelles is leaning over one of the men in the road and appears to be calling for calm when he is blindsided and punched in the face. He responds by throwing a punch in the direction of the same man.
Sources say the Nottingham-born star was acting in self defence throughout the incident and was trying to protect his teenage brother.
The group of men then ran off before emergency services arrived and Lascelles' friend was taken to hospital.
On-lookers say they feared he was dead given that he was unconscious for 15 minutes while paramedics worked on him. Police have since spoken to the alleged victim, although we understand no arrests have been made.
Newcastle, meanwhile, are aware of the incident and have seen the video. They say the matter will be dealt with internally.
Lascelles, who joined the club in 2014, was an unused substitute during Newcastle's 2-1 defeat at home to Liverpool on Sunday. He has appeared 225 times for the Magpies and has been club captain since 2016.