A prodigious young footballer is counting the days until he is able to return to the pitch after being stabbed in the back and rushed to hospital.

Tristan Azevedo, 18, was playing football in Grosvenor and Hilbert Park in Tunbridge Wells with his friend Slavi Chakarov when at 2:30pm on June 1, he was attacked and left critically injured.

They set up their goals and began training when they were approached by a young group of men.

Tristan was then stabbed in the back next to the kidney.

He was also struck in the face with what was believed to be the butt of the knife.

Slavi attempted to stem the bleeding until help arrived and Tristan was quickly taken to Kings College Hospital in London where he remains.

Tristan is now on the slow road to recovery and is looking forward to putting boot-to-ball once more.

"At the start he had a very tough couple of days but now he is on the path to full recovery ..."

Tristan's father, José Azevedo, 43, said: "He is doing a lot better now. At the start he had a very tough couple of days but now he is on the path to full recovery.

"He is not one to want to sit around so he is itching to get out.

"He is already sorting out his exercise routine for when he gets home."

Tristan is still recovering from the attack and is unable to eat solid food as he has two metal plates fitted in his jaw.

The mental strain is taking its toll on both Tristan and his father.

"Tristan isn't focused on the negatives though, he just wants to come back better and stronger ..."

Mr Azevedo said: "All his life he has been a tough fighter but two or three times now he has broken down on me in tears.

"I've been struggling too honestly, I'm usually quite a macho man but this is my little boy, as much as he doesn't like me saying that, but he is and it has hit me.

"Tristan isn't focused on the negatives though, he just wants to come back better and stronger."

Mr Azevedo also expressed his admiration for his son's saviour Slavi.

He said: "Slav is number one on the list. He needs to have the crown. I've always liked him, he is a star and a soldier and without him things could have been much worse."

The teenagers play football at EMC Academy in Tunbridge Wells which has started a GoFundMe page to help support Tristan through his recovery.

Johnny Elwood, who is one of the academy’s coaches, said: “We’re lucky to be living in Tunbridge Wells, you don’t think something like this could happen.

"Tristan was one of the players in the under 19s squad that we have high hopes for.

"He has some real talent and could make some real money from football.

“We set up the GoFundMe just to give him and his family support and help him on his way back to full strength and get him playing again.”

It was created with the initial goal of raising £500 but to date it stands well beyond the target at £2,631.

Mr Elwood described Tristan as a quiet, calm, and an unassuming character who is driven and focused.

Mr Azevedo says he has been blown away by the support shown to his son at this crucial time, adding: "Everyone has been amazing. From the club to the hospital, everyone has been incredible.

"Each day before I leave I always have a little word with the nurses and say that's my son please look after him."

The football academy is travelling to Barcelona for a summer tour - something that Tristan had already paid for - but is now likely to miss because of his injuries.

Police arrested a 16-year-old the day after the stabbing who was then charged with attempted murder on Saturday.

The teenager, who cannot be named due to his age, appeared in Medway Magistrates Court on Monday where he entered no plea.

He will face trial at Maidstone Crown Court on Monday, July 4.

Four other teenage boys were detained but were bailed, pending further investigation.