Friday, September 8 2006 13:57 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

London: Manchester City's Ben Thatcher, already facing a police inquiry into his brutal challenge on Portsmouth's Pedro Mendes, learned Thursday he was the subject of a second investigation.

Thatcher, banned for six games and fined 120,000 pounds by City for his August 23 elbow assault on Mendes which left the Portugal international unconscious, is being probed for an incident in a game against Blackburn Rovers' reserves in February.

Ralph Welch, a 19-year-old playing for Rovers, has complained that he was elbowed in the face by City's 30-year-old Wales defender during the game in Morecombe.

A spokesman for Lancashire Police confirms, "We have had correspondence from Merseyside Police and we are investigating the matter."

Thatcher was hit with the suspension and fine by his club over the Mendes clash after video footage showed him smash the 27-year-old in the face with his elbow during the 0-0 home match against Portsmouth.

He has since apologised to the Portuguese player, who spent a night in hospital after the incident and who hopes to return to action at the weekend.

Thatcher also faces a Football Association disciplinary hearing on September 12.