NEWCASTLE United defender Nicos Dabizas had to leap from his burning sports car after it crashed into traffic lights yesterday.

The 29-year-old was at the wheel of his Aston Martin Vanquish when it hit a set of lights in Athens, Greece, and caught fire in the early hours.

He escaped and was taken by ambulance to hospital, where he was treated for a broken left arm and needed stitches over one eye. No one else was involved in the accident.

He is not the first Magpies player to have a lucky escape from a car smash.

In May 1999, Andy Griffin emerged unhurt after his Porsche crashed into a Metro train on Tyneside.

Dabizas was in his homeland to captain the Greek team in their victory over Ukraine on Wednesday night.

He won his 61st cap for his country and helped his side climb to the top of their Euro 2004 qualifying group, above Spain.

Bosses at Newcastle United were last night waiting anxiously for news about the popular defender, who they placed on the transfer list a week ago.

The club last night confirmed the player had been injured in the accident, but declined to comment further.

Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp is thought to be interested in taking Dabizas, after he praised him earlier this week, but he has not yet contacted St James' Park.

Kenny Dalglish paid £2m to sign Dabizas from Greek side Olympiakos in March 1998.

His tally of 14 goals made him the highest scorer for a central defender in the Magpies' history.

He won the hearts of the Toon Army when he netted the winner against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light in April last year.