Newcastle defender Jonathan Woodgate is being investigated over allegations of an attack in a pub.

The recent £9million acquisition from Leeds was alleged to have been involved in an altercation at a pub in Middlesbrough earlier this week.

A spokesman for Cleveland Police said: "We are investigating an allegation of assault that allegedly took place at the Dickens Inn on Tuesday.''

A barmaid who was working at the pub in Southfield Road on the night of the alleged attack said she had seen no sign of trouble but had heard there was trouble outside.

She said Woodgate was not a regular but she had seen him in the pub "now and again".

He had been in the pub with a group of friends, none of whom were footballers, and she had seen him drink three or four bottles of alcopops.

The woman, who did not wish to be named, added: "He doesn't drink that much.''

She was not sure how long he had been there. She said she finished her shift at 8pm and Woodgate was still in the pub.

She added: "He didn't seem to cause any trouble. We didn't hear anything.''

A spokesman for Newcastle United said the club was not putting out a statement.

Representatives of sports management company SFX, which represents Woodgate, were unavailable for comment.