Police have appealed for information about a getaway car used during a stabbing in Edinburgh.

Sean McGovern was attacked on Waterloo Place in the city centre on Wednesday, July 27.

He was on leave from Castle Huntly open prison, where he was serving a sentence for heroin dealing and for firing a shotgun outside a Broomhouse Bar in 2008.

McGovern was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh to be treated for serious stab wounds.

The men who attacked the 32-year-old arrived in a white Skoda Rapid and fled the scene in the same car, travelling in the direction of Regent Road.

The car, which bore false number plates reading DX65 XWL, was later abandoned and set on fire on Bingham Drive, near Niddrie Burn. Three men were seen fleeing the vehicle.

The car is believed to have been seen on Lutton Place in Newington on the morning of the assault and was parked on Duddingston Row shortly before the attack.

Detective inspector Grant Johnston said: "We're appealing for anyone who witnessed the event in Waterloo Place, or saw the vehicle before or after the event to get in touch."

Two of the men are believed to be around 5ft 6in and dressed in yellow cycling tops, black caps and sunglasses.

A third man has only been described as having short dark hair and wearing a yellow top.

Anyone with any information about the attack has been asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.