Leeds United star Jonathan Woodgate has told a court that he watched a "big free-for-all" in which an Asian student was seriously injured - but did nothing to help.

The 21-year-old England international said he did not want to "get involved" in the fracas in Mill Hill, Leeds, which left Sarfraz Najeib with serious injuries including a broken nose, fractured cheekbone and a bite mark to his right cheek.

Hull Crown Court was told that Woodgate was more concerned about his ankle, which was "killing him" after he fell as he ran towards Mill Hill from the Majestyk nightclub.

He said he followed his friends from the nightclub after an altercation outside because he was being nosey and he fell over on his ankle as he ran in Boar Lane.

Woodgate, in the witness box for a second day, said he hobbled down Mill Hill but took no part in the violence.

"There was something going off," he told the jury.

Prosecuting counsel Nicholas Campbell QC asked the 6ft 2ins defender what he saw.

"There was lots of people shouting, lots of people down there," said Woodgate.

"It just looked like there was something going off - a big free-for-all."

Mr Campbell asked: "Was it a party? Was it a happy atmosphere?"

Woodgate: "No. It was shouting."

The footballer, of Middlesbrough, Leeds United midfielder Lee Bowyer, 24, of Leeds, and Paul Clifford and Neale Caveney, both 22 and from Middlesbrough, all deny causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Mr Najeib, 21, of Rotherham, South Yorkshire, in the incident in January last year.

All four defendants also deny affray.

Mr Campbell asked: "Did you see anyone in the group leaving it and then running back and jumping on top of someone on the ground? Did you see someone leaning down and lifting up Sarfraz Najeib and making an action which could have drawn you to conclude that he was being bitten."

Woodgate: "No."

Woodgate told the jury that he did see an Asian man on the floor in Mill Hill.

Mr Campbell asked: "Were you concerned enough to go over and inquire how he was?"

Woodgate: "No. I just did not want to get involved in anything that had gone on. I realise I should have gone over. I should have gone over and helped. I never...."

Mr Campbell: "Was it perhaps you took the view that he was already been assisted?"

Woodgate: "Possibly, yes."

Woodgate told the court that he walked back up Mill Hill, along Boar Lane to the Queen's Hotel.

He said he then met up with Leeds United defender Michael Duberry and they walked back to the Majestyk nightclub where Woodgate was refused entry.

The jury was told that Mr Duberry then drove Woodgate, Clifford and Caveney, along with two other friends from Middlesbrough, back to his home in Leeds.

Woodgate told the court that Mr Duberry lied to the jury to save himself.

"He does not care if I go to prison or not,'' said Woodgate. "He just wanted to get himself off.''

Mr Duberry told the court that Woodgate admitted to him that he had been in a fight and Clifford had bitten someone.

Woodgate told the jury that he now ignores Mr Duberry.

"He's not my best mate,'' said Woodgate. "I do not want to talk to him. He's lied about me.''

Mr Duberry was cleared in the first trial earlier this year of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. Last month he was called as a prosecution witness for the second trial and he repeated his claims that Woodgate confessed to being involved in a fight.

Mr Campbell accused Woodgate of taking part in the attack on Mr Najeib in Mill Hill.

"You have lied on oath in order to deceive others sitting in judgment,'' said Mr Campbell.

Woodgate: "I have not lied in front of the jury.''

Mr Campbell: "You have spoken to each of your co-accused since speaking to police in order to present the best possible picture of your activities that night.''

Woodgate: "No.''

Mr Campbell: "You were working as a team that night, weren't you?''

Woodgate: "No, Mr Campbell.''

Mr Campbell said Woodgate saw Mr Najeib outside the Majestyk punch James Hewison, one of the footballer's friends, during an altercation.

"And as soon as that assault took place the Asian group ran and they were chased and they were chased by you and your group of friends from the north east and Lee Bowyer,'' said Mr Campbell.

Woodgate: "No.''

Mr Campbell: "And the chase began because one of those Asians had the temerity to punch one of your group - that's what happened isn't it?''

Woodgate: "No.''

Mr Campbell: "And you and your friends were going to sort them out.''

Woodgate: "You are wrong, Mr Campbell.''

Mr Campbell: "You did not go over on your ankle. You kicked out in your drunken state, fell over but you recovered and you continued with the attack.

"You and Mr Bowyer came round the corner (of Mill Hill) and the two of you piled in where your friends were already doing damage to Sarfraz Najeib.''

Woodgate: "No, that's wrong.''

Mr Campbell: "And you in particular were seen to take that running jump and stamp on the body of Sarfraz Najeib as he lay there defenceless and unconscious.''

Woodgate: "No, that's wrong.''

Mr Campbell: "And that's precisely, Mr Woodgate, what you were telling Mr Duberry on your way back.''

Woodgate: "I told you, Mr Duberry lied. I know for a fact he did.''

The trial was adjourned until Tuesday.

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