Gardai hope to question an Irish soccer player after what has been described as a "vicious, unprovoked attack" on another man at a nightclub.

The assault was said to have taken place in Buck Whaley's on Leeson Street in the early hours of Saturday morning, with a man from Finglas suffering serious injuries to his face, including a broken nose and teeth.

He is reported to have been headbutted.

The player and a group of people were ejected from the premises after the assault.

The injured man is said to have identified his attacker in a statement to Gardai.

Gardai are yet to question the soccer player as it is unclear whether he has returned to the UK where he is based.