Soccer: Leeds stars' trial kicks off

The trial of three Leeds United stars charged with assaulting a student is due to start today.

Lee Bowyer, Jonathan Woodgate and Tony Hackworth are charged with grievous bodily harm with intent on 19-year-old Sarfraz Najeib.

Mr Najeib of Rotherham was injured in an attack in Leeds city centre in January last year.

The three footballers all deny the charge. They also deny affray.

England international Woodgate and his Leeds United team-mate Michael Duberry have also pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

Two other men, Neal Caveney, 21, and Paul Clifford, 21, both of Middlesbrough, deny causing grievous bodily harm with intent, affray and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

The trial of the six men is being held at Hull Crown Court. It is due to last up to six weeks and the first week is expected to be taken up with legal argument.