Mr Haifa yesterday remained in a coma in a critical but stable condition after having surgery on Christmas Day to reduce pressure on his brain.

Relative Tyrone Russell-Smith said his family was praying he’d pull through.

“I spoke with Sam (Mr Haifa’s uncle) after the doctors did their rounds at 11 o’clock this morning and the pressure on his brain has dropped so that it’s almost back to normal,” he said.

“So that’s a positive thing but he’s still in a coma and he’s still unconscious, so the whole family went to church this morning.

“Sam and Larry’s grandparents stayed by his side at the hospital, the rest of them went to church to pray.”

Mr Haifa had been in a critical condition at the Royal Melbourne Hospital after being bashed outside the Roi bar about 1.30am on Thursday.

His parents, Mario and Jamal, his two sisters, his grandparents and his nephews have been at his side since soon after the attack.

Mr Russell-Smith, the brother-in-law of Mr Haifa’s uncle, Sam Haifa, said the family hoped to know the extent of the injuries and bring him out of a coma within days.

“Hopefully by Wednesday they will know what’s happening,” he said.

“They’ll try and take him off the medication that’s keeping his body still and they’ll try and wake him up by Wednesday.”

Inspector John Wadsworth, of Albury police, said yesterday no arrests had been made over the attack.

“Detectives are still speaking with witnesses,” he said.

Police found Mr Haifa lying in Dean Street soon after he was refused entry to the Roi bar.

Detectives reviewing CCTV footage on Friday believed Mr Haifa had been attacked by a group, falling to the ground and hitting his head.

Mr Haifa worked in Mario’s West Albury Take Away, in Pemberton Street.

His family also operates Lavington eateries Jan’s Cafe, in Wagga Road, and DJ’s Pizza, in McDonald Road.

Anyone with information about the attack should contact Albury police on (02) 6023 9299 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.