Newcastle striker Nile Ranger arrested over drinking

Nile Ranger has only just returned to first-team action (GETTY IMAGES)

Newcastle striker Nile Ranger has been arrested again following a night out drinking with friends.

Police arrested the 20-year-old in the early hours of yesterday morning in Newcastle's Cathedral Square, near the city's famous Bigg Market drinking strip and Tup Tup Palace nightclub.

Ranger, who has only just been reinstated to first team training after a three-month exile in the Newcastle United reserves, was charged with being drunk and disorderly and will appear before magistrates.

The arrest could land Ranger in trouble with the club if it is proved he broke a curfew on consuming alcohol 48 hours before tonight's trip to Stoke.

The troubled forward was told to find a new club in the summer after several warnings about his discipline.

Police confirmed Ranger was questioned for more than four hours before he was charged and released on bail.

A Northumbria Police spokesman said the London-born player was arrested at 1.40am yesterday.

He said: "Police arrested a 20-year-old man for being drunk and disorderly in the Cathedral Square area of Newcastle city centre.

"Nile Ranger, 20, has been charged with being drunk and disorderly and will appear at magistrates' court later this month."

The arrest came just days after Ranger learned he will face court action for an alleged drink-driving offence and days before he is due to answer bail over an alleged attack that left a man fearing he had a broken jaw.

A spokesman for Newcastle declined to comment today.

PA