LANCASHIRE police are investigating an incident involving controversial footballer Ben Thatcher which left a Blackburn Rovers player with a broken jaw.

The incident occurred during a reserve team game between Rovers and Manchester City at Morecambe's Christie Park in February.

Video footage from the game shows Thatcher, who prompted an FA investigation after a forearm slam left Portsmouth player Pendro Mendes in hospital last month, catching Rovers player Ralph Welch with a straight forearm as they compete for the ball.

Welch, 19, who is now training with Oldham after being released by Rovers, needed to have a metal plate inserted in to his jaw after the incident.

Thatcher is currently being investigated by the Football Association and has been banned for six games and fined six weeks' wages by Manchester City following the Mendes incident.

It is understood that Welch decided to contact police after seeing the challenge that left Mendes hospitalised. He is believed to have made a complaint at a police station in Merseyside at the weekend.

A spokesman for Lancashire police said: "We have received an email from police in Merseyside and the incident will now be investigated by our Northern division."

An FA spokesman said: "At the time the incident was seen by the referee and dealt with.

"It would only be in the most extreme cases, such as the Mendes incident, where any further action would be taken."

A spokesman for Blackburn Rovers said: "Because the matter is potentially subject to a police investigation we feel it would be unwise to make any comment."