PHOTOS of four men accused of attacking a gay couple on a train have been released by police.

British Transport Police say they would like to speak to the men (pictured) in connection with an assault on Maidenhead couple Phil Poole, 35, and his boyfriend Zbynek Zatloukal, 26.

The two were travelling home to Maidenhead after a Valentine’s Day meal in Reading.

On Monday officers said a fifth man, who had been part of an earlier police appeal, had come forward to speak to them.

Having both fallen asleep on February 15 around 1am, with Mr Poole’s head resting on Mr Zatlouka’s shoulder, the couple missed their stop on the London bound Great Western Railway train.

A group of men boarded the train and approached the couple, waking Mr Poole with a punch to the face before beating his boyfriend, it is claimed.

“They started smacking me on the face while I was still sat down,” Mr Poole said.

“I didn’t know how to defend myself. I was so out of it.

“Zybnek came round and tried to get them off me. He got the brunt of it all.

“They kicked him on the floor.”

The attackers fled when police arrived, leaving Mr Zybnek to be stretchered off the train followed by his boyfriend.

They were taken to Ealing Hospital where the 26 year-old, who works as a private chef for clients including Chelsea Football Club, was treated for a suspected broken eye socket. Mr Poole lost two teeth. Investigating officer, PC Peter Taylor, said: “This was a very nasty assault committed by a group of men who attacked two other men while they were sleeping on the train. The victims believe the motivation for the attack was that the offenders thought they were gay.“Hate crime such as this will absolutely not be tolerated by British Transport Police.”

If you recognise the men, contact police on 0800 40 50 40 or text information to 61016 quoting reference number 30 15/2/17.