Raheem Sterling assault trial date set

The footballer did not attend the hearing at Liverpool Magistrates' Court

A teenage Premier League and England footballer will stand trial over the alleged assault of a woman in Liverpool.

Raheem Sterling, 18, denies the common assault of a 27-year old woman in Toxteth on 2 November.

The winger, from Woolton, entered a formal not guilty plea to the charges through his solicitor.

The footballer did not attend the hearing at Liverpool Magistrates' Court.

The hearing was the third in relation to the allegation that the footballer has not attended.

District Judge Lloyd warned him that the trial would go ahead without him on 20 May if he failed to turn up.

Mr Sterling was initially summonsed to Liverpool Youth Court as the incident happened when he was 17, but he turned 18 in December and the matter was transferred to the adult courts.

Sterling made his senior international debut for England last November against Sweden and has earned plaudits for his performances for Liverpool this season.