Court date for Gerrard co-accused

Four men charged over a brawl that allegedly involved England footballer Steven Gerrard will appear in court with the star next month.

Gerrard, 28, appeared in court last month when he indicated he would deny assault and affray.

The charges stemmed from a fight at the Lounge Inn nightclub, in Southport, Merseyside, where Gerrard was celebrating Liverpool's 5-1 win over Newcastle United.

It is alleged businessman Marcus McGee, 34, of Southport, lost a tooth and was cut in the face during the melee in the early hours of 29 December.

Co-accused John Doran, 29, and Ian Smith, 19, both from Huyton, Merseyside, also indicated they would deny the same charges when they appeared before Southport magistrates on 23 January.

Today, two Accrington Stanley footballers and two other men appeared in court in Southport.

Goalkeeper Ian Dunbavin, 28, of Guildford Road, Southport, made no plea to affray.

Neither did midfielder Robert Grant, 18, of Enstone Avenue, Litherland.

John McGrattan, 33, of Rimmer Avenue, Huyton, pleaded not guilty to affray.

Paul McGrattan, 31, of Linden Drive, Huyton, pleaded not guilty to assault and affray, said a Crown Prosecution Service spokesman.

The Liverpool captain and the other six will appear before Southport magistrates on March 20 for a full plea and case management hearing.