Bradford Bulls star Leon Pryce, pictured, is facing a maximum five-year jail sentence after admitting glassing the coach of a rival club.

The 16-stone Great Britain international admitted attacking the man in a Bradford bar.

The 6ft 4in tall Bulls player, who came on as a substitute during Saturday's Grand Final win over Wigan Warriors, was to be tried yesterday for assault occasioning grievous bodily harm with intent. But he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of unlawful wounding. Judge Tony Briggs told the player: "All sentencing options including custody remain open." Five years in jail is the maximum for such an offence.

Pryce, of Warburton Place, Bradford, attacked 38-year-old Edward McGuiness in the Walkabout bar in the city's West End in September last year. He hit him with a beer glass, leaving his victim, who had worked as a coach with Bradford before joining Salford, needing 48 stitches to ten wounds, including one in his ear, at Bradford Royal Infirmary.

The offence happened just hours after Pryce had helped his team to victory over Wigan Warriors at Valley Parade in last year's Super League campaign.

During a five-minute hearing at Teesside Crown Court in Middlesbrough, the 22-year-old, wearing a black suit, black shirt and black tie, spoke only to confirm his name and to formally admit the charge against him.

Barrister Nigel Edwards, defending, said Pryce admitted the charge of unlawful wounding on the basis he had done so during an act of self-defence which "went over the top".

Jonathan Devlin, prosecuting, conceded that Pryce may have "perceived he was under attack" and that independent witnesses had seen Mr McGuinness "make a grab for him" at one stage.

Judge Tony Briggs told Pryce he would sentence him in three weeks' time after probation reports had been prepared. He granted Pryce bail but stressed it was no indication of the final punishment he would face. Pryce's appearance today followed several where he did not indicate a plea until his barrister made an unusual application before a judge for the trial to be delayed until after Saturday's Grand Final. At the time Pryce's barrister said the delay of a trial was not unprecendented because cases involving footballers had been allowed such latitude.

l Great Britain coach David Waite has dropped Pryce from his squad which takes on Australia next month. The coach told a news conference: "Leon is not available because there is no guarantee he could travel with the team to train."

The Great Britain squad, in which Pryce had become a regular, is flying to Spain on Wednesday for warm weather training. Pryce played for Great Britain in the Test series against New Zealand last November and is seen as a promising player with a good future in the international game.