Leeds United footballer Michael Duberry told his trial yesterday that he was prepared to sacrifice his popularity at the club to save himself from a conspiracy charge.

Duberry, 25, has given evidence that fellow defender Jonathan Woodgate, who comes from Middlesbrough, had confided in him that he had been in a fight with Asians,

And yesterday, he told the jury at Hull Crown Court: "I think that I might come out of this looking bad because you could say I have sold out my mate to save myself.

"I might not be liked at Leeds United, but in saving myself that's what I had to do."

Duberry is accused of helping to cover up the alleged involvement of Woodgate, teammate Lee Bowyer and two other men in the brutal attack on student Sarfraz Najeib in Leeds city centre last year.

Duberry has admitted lying to police when he told them Woodgate and four of his friends had come to his home by taxi on the night of the attack, when he had in fact given them a lift.

He said before giving evidence, he had told Bowyer as well as Woodgate that he would tell the truth. But he had only discussed it at length with his close family.

Nicholas Campbell, prosecuting, asked what Bowyer's reaction had been.

Duberry said: "Bow felt for me having to come up here and do this.

"He understood what I was doing and that was it really. He was obviously concerned."

Mr Campbell asked: "He wasn't shocked like Jonathan Woodgate?"

Duberry: "He didn't seem to be . . . he wasn't shocked at all."

England international Woodgate, 21, midfielder Bowyer, 24, of Leeds, Neale Caveney and Paul Clifford, both 21, of Middlesbrough, deny causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Mr Najeib, 20. They also deny affray.

Duberry, Woodgate, Clifford and Caveney also deny conspiracy to pervert the course of justice after the attack.

Mr Campbell suggested that Duberry was still not telling the whole truth and that he knew more than he had told about the events of the night.

Duberry said: "I am up here to give a true account."

The case continues.