A man has been shot in the leg outside a home in Sydney’s south-west in what police say was a targeted attack.

Officers were told the 44-year-old man was approached by three men outside a home at Claymore early on Monday morning before he was shot in the left thigh with a shotgun.

“At this stage we do believe it was a targeted attack and it was not random at all,” Inspector Stephen Greer said.

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“We have been told it was possibly three males involved and at that time they were probably wearing balaclavas and dark clothing.”

Police said the injured man then managed to run to a nearby house on Heyson Way to seek refuge, but the group chased him before another shot was fired through the front door.

The alleged attackers then fled the scene on foot.

Emergency services were then called to the home the victim sought refuge in at about 1:50am.

He was taken to Liverpool Hospital in a stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries.

Insp Greer said a crime scene was established and police dogs were called in to help canvass the neighbourhood.

“It’s been very frightening for the residents involved and obviously the man who was shot, so anyone confronted with a man with a gun, obviously they are going to fear for their life,” he said.

“If anyone has seen or heard anything, whether it be through a third party or not, they’re encouraged to contact Macquarie Fields Police or Crime Stoppers.”