FORMER Sunderland footballer John Oster has reached a settlement with a team-mate whose career he ruined when he shot him in the eye in a freak accident.

Black Cats reserve defender Mark Maley needed emergency treatment after being struck in the eye by an airgun pellet at Mr Oster's home in April 2002.

The accident was followed by a fracas outside the Studio nightclub, in North Road, Durham City, which resulted in Mr Oster spending a night in police cells and receiving a caution.

The pair were involved in horseplay with the gun, which they believed was not loaded, when it accidentally discharged.

Mr Oster has confirmed that he reached an out-of-court settlement after causing the injury, which ended the career of the former England Schoolboys captain at the age of 21.

Mr Oster said: "The air rifle was just a freak incident.

"We were larking about in my flat on a Sunday morning and I thought the safety catch was on when I pointed it at (Maley). It went off and it hit him in the eye.

"It was strange to say the least, because it didn't fire straight at the best of times.

"I thought he was messing about and then I realised his eye was bloodshot. I immediately phoned for an ambulance and we went straight to hospital."

He added: "I haven't spoken to him for a while.

"I had a claim against me which has just gone through, so I have had to go through the process of using solicitors because he sued me - that had been going on for a few years.

"We settled out of court, which we have just agreed. We were mates, it was a complete accident and he's not in any way bitter towards me, but the fact is that he had to finish his career because of me."

Lincolnshire-born Mr Oster was bought from Everton by former Sunderland boss Peter Reid for £1m in 1999, and had a spell on loan at Grimsby.

He was sent back to Sunderland early from a loan spell with Leeds, after allegedly misbehaving at the club's Christmas party.

Sunderland later terminated Mr Oster's contract and he joined former Black Cats' assistant boss Steve Cotterill at Burnley.

He is now back in the Premiership with Reading.