Eight Leicester City footballers were in custody in Spain last night after three women claimed they had been sexually assaulted in a hotel room.

The players, who were on a warm weather training break in the Costa del Sol, are alleged to have forced their way into a room where the women claim they were attacked.

The alleged victims - who were African-born according to Spanish TV channel Telecinco - were found to have injuries to various parts of their body when examined by doctors at Alicante general hospital, according to police in Cartagena.

It is the latest sex scandal to hit football in recent months and the second time Leicester City has hit the headlines while staying at the exclusive La Manga resort.

Nine players were originally arrested after the women complained to police.

Spanish television pictures showed several players being led into a police van.

Among them were defenders Matt Elliott and Frank Sinclair and reserve team goalkeeper Danny Coyne.

Elliott was arrested in connection with breaking and entering and leaving a crime scene without offering assistance, Sinclair with sexual assault and breaking and entering and Coyne with breaking and entering and leaving crime scene without offering assistance.

German midfielder Steffen Freund was released after being questioned over leaving a crime scene.

BBC Radio Five Live later named two other players. They were James Scowcroft and Paul Dickov, both arrested in connection with sexual assault and breaking and entering.

As well as their injuries the three women gave the police a bracelet, which was apparently broken by one of the aggressors, as well as torn underwear.

The women separately identified by photograph the footballers alleged to have carried out the assaults.

According to an account given by a member of the hotel staff, where the assaults were alleged to have taken place, the footballers had arrived that night apparently drunk and fighting between themselves and other customers.

The rest of the squad cut short the week-long trip and flew back to England last night, though club officials stressed they had not been thrown out of their hotel.

Leicester City issued a statement which said: "The club is aware that a number of players have been interviewed by Spanish police as a result of alleged incidents which took place during a club training camp in Spain.

"The club is co-operating fully with the authorities but, as these investigations are still ongoing, is not in a position to make any further comment."