St Helens' Sia Soliola injured in bar attack

Image caption, The 25-year-old has become a favourite at St Helens since he arrived at the club

A New Zealand rugby league player has been left with serious facial injuries after an incident at a Merseyside bar.

St Helens' Sia Soliola required hospital treatment after being found by police outside Imperial Bar on Ormskirk Street in the town at about 02:20 GMT.

A second 19-year-old man was also injured in the alleged attack.

A 32-year-old man from Speke, Liverpool, a 23-year-old man from Lymm, Cheshire, and a 24-year-old man from Chester have been arrested.

A spokesman for the club said Soliola had been injured but would not comment on the attack.

He would not say whether the injuries would keep the centre from playing against Bradford Bulls on Saturday.

The Kiwi international has been a regular for the Saints in the 2012 season and played in Friday's home defeat by Hull FC.