A bouncer made up a story about being glassed in the face by a football star because he needed £70,000 after being caught by police with five kilos of heroin, a court heard.

Doorman Trevor Thirlwall, 28, was a "thug" who wanted to sell his story and pursue Chelsea player John Terry for compensation, defence lawyers claimed.

Mr Terry, fellow Chelsea player Jody Morris and Wimbledon player Des Byrne are accused of becoming violent after being asked to leave the nightclub in Knightsbridge on 4 January.

Desmond de Silva QC, representing Mr Terry, earlier claimed the doorman goaded his client into a fight at The Wellington, a private members' club in central London.

John Terry has captained England's Under 21 team

But Mr Thirlwall denied suggestions that he had ended up in jail after being caught with heroin and said the lawyer had his facts "completely wrong".

Mr de Silva said: "The story you have given this court that John Terry bottled you in the left side of the face is a complete fabrication, you are lying.

"I'm suggesting that's been done by you to get him convicted and make a claim against him.

"You are somebody who desperately, desperately needed a fairly substantial sum of money, something in the region of £70,000, in the early part of the year weren't you?"

Mr Thirlwall replied: "I have never been in desperate need of anything. I'm quite happy in life."

But the doorman admitted initially lying to police, telling them his brother Matthew, a boxer was not at the club that night.

Firm punch

Home Office forensic pathologist Dr Peter Jerreat told the court he believed Mr Thirlwall's injury was consistent with the impact of a bottle base.

But under cross-examination by Mr de Silva, he accepted that there was a possibility that it was caused by a "single firm punch".

Mr Terry denies wounding Mr Thirlwall with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and possessing a glass bottle as an offensive weapon.

Mr Byrne also denies possessing an offensive weapon and all three players deny a charge of affray.

The case continues.