The frail victim was found semi-conscious with an injury to the forehead and could barely communicate with police.

The house in Dewhurst

St, Coledale, was placed under police guard until crime scene police could

investigate.

Meanwhile the elderly man was listed in a serious condition in Tamworth Base Hospital.

A close family friend found the victim shortly after 12pm when she forced open the front door, which appeared to have been barricaded with a chair.

Furniture was strewn across the floor, vases were knocked over and chairs tipped up.

Living alone, the man had not been in contact with friends since early in the week, and it's possible he could have lay injured since Thursday.

Tamworth police sergeant Kevin Mcauliffe said the elderly man had an injury described as a contusion to the head and it was not known if he was dehydrated or had suffered any other injuries.

The contents of the loungeroom were dishev-eled, with police suspecting the man could have been assaulted in his home.

"There's bits and pieces of furniture moved around in the lounge area and vases have been tipped over," Sergeant Mcauliffe said.

He said a stool was placed behind the front door in a way suggesting it had been wedged to stop it from

opening.

He could not confirm how the victim was injured or if anyone had broken in, however detectives are investigating the possibility of forced entry.

Sergeant Mcauliffe said it did not appear as though any property had been stolen, although again this could not be confirmed.

Police tried to interview the victim at the scene however he seemed confused and had difficulty speaking.

"If he has been there since Thursday he's doing well," Sergeant Mcauliffe said.

"Either someone has broken into the house and assaulted him or he's had some kind of a turn and was thrashing about the place," he said.