Player 'shocked' at attack claim

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Premier League footballer Marlon King has denied breaking a woman's nose after she rejected his advances.

The victim was left covered in blood and two of her friends fell over after the attack in a central London bar.

The Wigan Athletic striker told Southwark Crown Court that the allegations were a "total surprise".

The married father-of-three, 29, of Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, denies sexual assault by touching and causing actual bodily harm.

Mr King said: "I didn't touch any girl in that club. I didn't smash anybody's face in."

I didn't deck anyone at all Marlon King

The footballer is arguing that he is a victim of mistaken identity and did not commit the attack which occurred at the Soho Revue Bar last December.

The victim, 20, who cannot be named for legal reasons, accused Mr King of repeatedly tapping her on the head before punching her.

Mr King told jurors that he had gone to the bar with his wife's blessing after learning that he was to become a father again.

'Fed up'

The footballer, who was on loan at Hull City at the time, denied either being drunk or having taken drugs.

Roger Daniells-Smith, prosecuting, suggested to Mr King that he had been snubbed by all those that he had approached in the bar.

Mr Daniells-Smith said: "In the end you got fed up and decked one of them."

Mr King replied: "Not at all. I didn't deck anyone at all."

The trial continues.