A MAN who was found with serious head injuries in a South Woodford street may have been attacked by one of his friends, police have said.

The news comes as hospital staff have today reported the unnamed man, aged in his late 40s, has been recovering well from his ordeal, and could even be discharged later today.

Officers said the attack, which took place at around 7.45pm in Pulteney Road near George Lane, happened after an argument between two men.

A police spokeswoman said the two men had been out drinking at Switch bar before the row.

The owner of Switch bar said the pair had been drinking there, but that staff had stopped serving them and asked them to leave because of concerns over the amount of alcohol they had drunk.

It is believed the injured man was violently pushed to the ground by the other man, who then fled the scene in a car.

Police helicopters searched the surrounding scene and eventually caught a suspect, who they arrested on charges of assault and drink driving.

The injured man was originally said to be in a "critical" condition by medical staff, but has made a "really good" recovery today.

A police spokeswoman added that the victim and his attacker are not believed to be from Redbridge, contrary to rumours in South Woodford they may have been linked to a nearby unit for people with learning difficulties.