FRENCH footballer Lilian Laslandes is to appear in a North-East court on a drink-driving charge.

The on-loan Sunderland striker was allegedly more than three times over the drink-drive limit when police breathalysed him in the early hours at the wheel of a car in Newcastle city centre, in November.

He was granted police bail and, although now playing for German club Cologne, has been summonsed to appear at Newcastle Magistrates' Court later this month.

The 30-year-old £3.6m forward joined the Black Cats last June from Bordeaux, with whom he had won league and cup honours.

He was seen as a long-term replacement for veteran Niall Quinn.

But, having made only five Premiership starts for the club, he was allowed to join the German side on a loan deal until the end of the season, with a view to a permanent transfer.

His new German club is struggling second from bottom in the league and, having failed to score in six games, sacked the coach last week.

The seven times capped French international was due to start his third game for cash-hit Cologne in last night's derby match against Borussia Monchengladbach, although doubt has emerged over whether the loan deal will be seen through to the end of the season.