THIS Newport man says his life will never be the same again after a brutal assault last year.

Wayne Davies, 39, lost his left eye and has been forced to cancel his wedding day twice during his recovery from the attack, which happened in the early hours of July 30.

Mr Davies believes he was knocked on the back of his head with a metal bar near Cambrian Road, Newport. He was then kicked and punched as he lay dazed on the ground.

Mr Davies suffered a fractured skull, broken nose, shattered left eye, broken jaw, broken cheek, whiplash, and bruising.

He needed 164 stitches and has undergone a string of surgeries, including a seven-hour operation on the structure of his face.

He also had his jaws wired for six weeks, during which time he shed three stone in weight.

Mr Davies told the Argus that his life has been turned "upside down."

He said he is still on painkillers and has to take sleeping pills because he has nightmares about the assault.

Mr Davies said he is having counselling and is still coming to terms with losing his eye.

He added that he doesn't feel he can do as much as he used to with his children, Tara, aged 21, Kyra, 15, and Taylor, 14.

He said: "This is going to effect me forever. Everytime I look in a mirror, I'll remember what happened."

Mr Davies and his fiance, Laura Davies, 41, have been together for about ten years and had planned their wedding day for January 12.

They rescheduled for May 24 but had to scrap that date too as Mr Davies is now waiting to have more work done on his left eye.

They now hope to tie the knot in Rhodes this summer.

Mr Davies said: "I was very annoyed to have to cancel our special day after all the build up. But it's going to happen this time, I won't let anything come between us."

He added: "There's no way I could have got through all this without Laura, she's been amazing."

On Friday, two men, Gareth Pardue, 23, of Alexandra Road, Newport, and John Compton, 22, of Stow Hill, Newport, pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm on Mr Davies and his friend, Paul Campbell, 41, of Newport. They have not yet been sentenced.

Police say the assault happened after an argument earlier that evening.

A third man, who it is believed may have hit Mr Davies with an iron bar, has never been found and police say CCTV images were not sufficient to identify him.

DC Karl Smith, of Gwent Police has appealed for witnesses to come forward.

Mr Davies added: "It would mean a lot to me if they could catch him, just so I could feel that some justice has been done."

If you can provide any information please contact Gwent police on 01633 838111 or call Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.