Vic gutter stabbing accused on the run

Two thugs who chased a man and stabbed him 11 times after he slipped and fell into a gutter in Melbourne's southeast remain on the run a fortnight after the attack.

The victim, 24, required emergency surgery and was in hospital for days after he was set upon outside a Noble Park birthday party about 4am on October 1.

Several people tried to shield the victim during the attack but police on Thursday said only a small number of witnesses had come forward.

Investigators have released CCTV of men they believe may able to assist with their inquiries and two vehicles they want to identify.