SUNDERLAND footballer Adam Johnson has been questioned on suspicion of sexual activity with a 15-year-old schoolgirl.

The England international was arrested after three unmarked police cars and a van arrived at the midfielder's £1.5m house in County Durham on Monday morning.

Sunderland, due to play Hull City tonight, confirmed in a statement that Johnson has been suspended from the club, pending the outcome of a police investigation.

“No further comment will be made at the present time,” the spokesman added.

The midfielder, who it is understood became a father for the first time in January, had been due to travel with the rest of the Sunderland squad to Humberside this afternoon for tomorrow's important Barclays Premier League fixture.

Neighbours of the former Middlesbrough player told a national newspaper they assumed this home had been burgled when they saw the activity outside.

A Durham Police spokesman said: “A 27-year-old man was arrested earlier today on suspicion of sexual activity with a girl under 16.

“He remains in police custody and is helping officers with their inquiries.”

A further statement said Johnson had been released on police bail "pending on-going investigations".

A legally-owned starter pistol is believed to have been found at his home.

The Easington-born winger joined Middlesbrough as a schoolboy and made his senior debut for the Teessiders when he was 17-years-old in a 2005 Uefa Cup tie.

He went on to play 120 times for Boro before signing for big-spending Manchester City in 2010, the year he won the first of his 12 England caps.

Johnson was part of the City side which dramatically won the 2011-12 Premier League title on the last day of the season.

But he returned to his native North-East that summer, signing a four-year contract with Sunderland in a £10m deal.

Johnson has played 105 league games for the Black Cats over the last three seasons, scoring 20 goals - including three against arch rivals Newcastle United.