A FIRST year student was stabbed outside the Hobgoblin pub on Cowley Road in the early hours of today.

The 20-year-old was near the pub at about 4am when a man pulled up in a vehicle nearby.

The two men became involved in an argument, during which the student was stabbed.

Police believe he knew his attacker.

The victim walked from the scene of the incident, at the corner of Bullingdon Road and Cowley Road, to a property in Crown Street, where an ambulance was called.

He remains in a critical but stable condition at John Radcliffe Hospital.

Insp Simon Morton, of Oxford CID, said: “Wednesday night is a popular night for students on the Cowley Road and this incident has happened at a time when there are possibly lots of people around, making their way home from a night out.

“Officers are currently reviewing CCTV from the area to see if the incident has been captured.

“At this stage we believe that the victim knew his attacker and that this is an isolated incident.”

This morning, a large section of Cowley Road was cordoned off by crime scene investigators.

It comes less than a week a week after a 31-year-old man suffered facial injuries after being attacked with a knife in public toilets less than 100 yards away from this morning’s attack.

Police do not believe the stabbings are connected.

Anyone with information should contact police on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.