SOCCER ace Dwight Yorke could face a bitter paternity battle over his newborn son, the News of the World can reveal.
His girlfriend Naomi Smith gave birth to the 7lb 8oz tot this week — but it was her golfer lover Darren Sorrell who was there for the birth.
And when Dwight arrived at the hospital to see his son, he had to boot love-rival Darren out first.
A close pal said: "It's an utter mess. Both men believe they could be the father. I wouldn't be surprised if Darren wants a paternity test. He is acting like a doting dad"
The tot, named Brandon Tiger by Dwight, has black hair and is said to resemble the footie star but DOESN'T have his colouring.
Blonde WAG Naomi, 24, has always insisted the Sunderland star IS the father even though she cheated on him for two years with Darren.
And to add to the confusion it was Darren she turned to when she went into labour on Wednesday. The pal added: "We expected her to ring her mum or Dwight, but she rang Darren instead. He had the extra hour visiting the hospital gives dads.
"On Thursday his parents rushed to see their ‘grandson' with loads of presents." But it was a different story when Dwight, 35, appeared at the Birmingham hospital the following day.
The friend continued: "Naomi didn't ring Dwight until after the baby was born, and then she contacted him via his agent.
"He was out of the country but rushed to see her and the baby. Dwight didn't have a clue that Darren had been there for the birth — I don't think Naomi had the guts to tell him.
"When he turned up at the hospital on Friday Darren was still sitting by her side and the room was full of flowers he had sent her. Darren and the other visitors were asked to leave the room so Dwight could spend time with Naomi, and he ended up staying several hours.
"Dwight chose the name — Brandon Tiger, after Tiger Woods. I can't believe he's called his son that when Naomi's lover is a golfer."
Naomi's family now fear there will be a battle to find out who the real dad is.
The pal added: "It would be easier if the tot had taken Dwight's colouring, but he hasn't."
Receptionist Naomi met Dwight — who has a four-year-old son Harvey with model Jordan — in 2004.
But two years ago she started dating Darren, 25, who works as an assistant pro-golfer at Lickey Hills golf course in Birmingham.
She moved him into the luxury flat Dwight bought her in the city and splashed out on a Peugeot 206 and holiday to Tenerife — on Dwight's hand-outs.
But when Naomi fell pregnant and insisted the baby was Dwight's, Darren returned to live with his parents.
Our source said: "She never stopped contacting him and Darren never stopped loving her. Darren put up with it all despite the fact she treated him like dirt. He loved the lifestyle with her. The clothes, posh restaurants. All of which were funded by Dwight." The
News of the World's Dr Hilary Jones said: "The complicated nature of skin colour genetics means it's rare but possible for mixed couples to have babies with pale skin."
(news of the world)