The jury in the trial of two Leeds United players accused of assaulting a student was sent home this evening after retiring earlier in the day to begin considering its verdict.
Defender Jonathan Woodgate, 21, and midfielder Lee Bowyer, 24, are charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Sarfraz Najeib in January 2000 and affray. They deny the charges and face jail if found guilty.
Two other men, Paul Clifford and Neale Caveney, also deny causing grievous bodily harm with intent and affray. The jury was sworn in on October 15th.
An earlier trial of the four defendants was stopped in April because of an article in a Sunday newspaper.
Woodgate, who has played once for England, and Bowyer are among the country's finest prospects. The English Football Association has ruled the players are ineligible for selection until "the conclusion of the legal process".
Leeds, currently third in the Premiership, indicated before the first trial they would sack any player found guilty of involvement in the attack on Najeib, now 21.
The jury will return to resume their deliberations tomorrow.