ENGLAND footballer Steven Gerrard is to deny assaulting a man during a nightclub brawl, a court heard today.

The Liverpool captain will plead not guilty to affray and assaulting company director Marcus McGee, 34, last month following the Reds' 5-1 defeat of Newcastle.

Gerrard, 28, appeared before North Sefton Magistrates in Merseyside over his alleged part in a brawl at the Lounge Inn, Southport.

He was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and affray along with John Doran, 29, and Ian Smith, 19, both from Huyton, Merseyside.

Gerrard was driven to the magistrates court in Southport and had jogged up the steps dressed in a dark blue suit.

Dozens of photographers were kept back from the court entrance in a penned area.