A young footballer brutally attacked on holiday has celebrated his 28th birthday recovering from life-saving surgery in a Greek hospital.

Robert Hughes was left in a coma for two weeks after being jumped on by British thugs outside the Candy Club in Malia, Crete on June 17.

His brother David, 36, said the family feared the former Croydon Athletic player wouldn’t wake up and would be left in a permanent vegetative state.

But on Saturday Robert’s mother Maggie said her son managed to have a small conversation with close family members and fellow patients as they held a quiet tea party at his bedside.

Mrs Hughes said the celebration came as a welcome reprieve for the family who are feeling increasingly despondent with the Greek police’s handling of the investigation and fear the case is being overlooked.

Last week their distress was amplified when it was revealed that the youths suspected of the attack had allegedly gloated about the assault on social networking site Facebook.

Mrs Hughes said: “It was really nice, in fact it was normal for a change, not like the heartache and upset that it has been for the last 12 weeks.

“We had something good to celebrate which is fantastic for a change.

“Everybody has been telling me that I look so unwell and pale so this was a nice way to cheer us all up a bit.’’ She added: “Most of the time he spent sleeping but we just chatted among ourselves and someone bought a Greek chocolate cake - it wasn’t quite the same as home but we tried.

“We invited other British patients in the hospital to join us too - one was a burns victim and another was a victim of attack - so there was quite a feeling of camaraderie.’’ Mrs Hughes said she believed the category of the case was now being decided by the courts, but said she was concerned that the British police had offered her “no support’’.

MP Tom Brake said he was continuing to chase the Greek ambassador for an urgent meeting to discuss Robert’s case.

A Met Police spokesman said: “Legally we are limited in what we can do.

“Unless the Greek authorities request assistance we cannot intervene in the investigation.’’ The family have been advised that the five suspects could be extradited to Greece to face trial.