FORMER Scottish international striker Frank McAvennie was part of a four-man conspiracy planning to deal more than £110,000 worth of Ecstasy and amphetamines, a court heard yesterday.

The 40-year-old former Celtic and West Ham United player was seen by plain-clothed detectives collecting the drugs with fellow conspirators from a house in Newcastle and transporting them by train to Glasgow, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

McAvennie, from Low Fell, Gateshead, has pleaded not guilty to conspiring to supply amphetamines and Ecstasy. He appeared with Arthur Burke, 46, from West Denton, Newcastle, who pleaded not guilty to the same offences.

Prosecutor Stephen Duffield told the jury that, in March, detectives observed Vincent Wallace travelling by train from Glasgow to Newcastle, where he was met at the city station by McAvennie and Michael Edward.

He said: "It appears the meeting was prearranged.

"The three set off from the station and they were kept under observation by police officers.

"They drove westwards to the area of West Denton. The car was parked and Edward left the car. He returned two minutes later with a package under his arm."

The prosecution alleges that Edward had been to the house of Arthur Burke to collect drugs.

The detectives then observed Wallace being taken back to Newcastle station and he was arrested on his return to Glasgow.

His bags were searched and he was found to be carrying 5kg of amphetamine paste and 5,000 Ecstasy tablets.

McAvennie was arrested later that evening in the centre of Newcastle along with Mr Edward.

Mr Duffield said: "McAvennie was found at the time of his arrest to have a small quantity of cocaine in his possession."

Mr Duffield said that during the two-week trial, McAvennie would claim he knew nothing about the drugs deal and had met his friend Mr Edward to play golf.

The case continues