Liverpool FC star Raheem Sterling due in Court

AFRIK UPDATE

The Liverpool and England footballer Raheem Sterling is charged with common assault after a 27-year-old woman, who is known to the player, suffered "slight" facial injuries, police said.

The incident allegedly took place in the Toxteth area of the city on November 2.

Sterling, 18, did not attend last week's hearing at Liverpool Magistrates' Court and his solicitor, John Brown, asked for the case to be adjourned following delays.

The hearing was rescheduled and will take place back at the court on Friday.

Sterling was initially summonsed to Liverpool Youth Court as the offence allegedly took place when he was 17.

But he turned 18 in December and the matter was transferred to the adult courts.

The Jamaica-born star, who lives in Woolton, Liverpool, was not present for his youth court hearing earlier this month.

Solicitor Mick Hogan appeared on his behalf at that hearing and indicated he would plead not guilty.