But under cross-examination by Woodgate's barrister David Sumner, Mr Clarke admitted he did not originally tell the police the events he described in court.

Mr Clarke, an industrial window cleaner, told the court he had seconds before seen a group of Asian youths being chased by a group of four or five white men along Boar Lane, in Leeds city centre.

Mr Clarke said he was working with a colleague outside the Commercial Union offices and was taking a meal break in his lorry in the early hours of January 12 last year.

He said: "An Asian youth turned round and a white lad tried to kick him and missed and fell over. It was Jonathan Woodgate. I've seen him play football for Leeds."

Mr Clarke said during the chase, one of the white men had shouted: "Come on then if you f****** want a go."

One of the Asian youths turned round and stood his ground, Mr Clarke told the court.

He said the Asian youth whom Woodgate had missed with a kick was then attacked by some of the white men.

The court heard that Woodgate had by that time jumped to his feet and joined in the attack on the youngster.

"Punches were thrown at him (the Asian)," said Mr Clarke. "He then ran down the side of the vehicle and was struck again, but broke free again."

Mr Clarke claimed that the youth was attacked twice close to the lorry and Woodgate was involved in both incidents.

The jury has been told that the Asian student in question was attacked in Mill Hill by a group of men allegedly including Woodgate and two other Leeds United players.

Woodgate, 21, of Middlesbrough, England Under-21 international Lee Bowyer, 24, of Leeds, Tony Hackworth, 20, of Leeds, and Neale Caveney and Paul Clifford, both 21, of Middlesbrough, deny causing grievous bodily harm with intent. They also deny affray.

The jury has been told that the student was kicked and beaten senseless in a street attack in Mill Hill.

Woodgate, Caveney and Clifford, with Leeds United defender Michael Duberry, 24, of Leeds, also plead not guilty to conspiring to pervert the cause of justice after the attack in January last year.

Mr Clarke told the court that about 10 minutes after the group of white men disappeared down Mill Hill, they returned to where he was working and walked back in the direction of the Majestyk nightclub.

He said one of the men was shaking his hand "as though he had hurt it".

Mr Clarke said Woodgate was with the group, adding: "He stood out among them all because he was the tallest."

But under cross-examination by Woodgate's barrister David Sumner, Mr Clarke admitted he did not tell the police the events he described in court today.

"There is not a word in your statement about him (Woodgate) lashing out and falling over - there's no suggestion to the cause of the fall is there?" said Mr Sumner.

Mr Clarke admitted that in his statement made to police two weeks after the alleged attack, he had said Woodgate had slipped in front of the vehicle, got up and limped off.

Mr Sumner asked: "Why have you missed out this reference you made today at him (Woodgate) kicking at an Asian?"

Mr Clarke said: "I have no idea."