AN ASSAULT charge against England footballer Steven Gerrard was dropped yesterday, but he will still face trial on a charge of affray over a fight in a nightclub last year. The Liverpool captain’s case was committed to Liverpool crown court on April 3rd for a plea hearing during a brief appearance yesterday at North Sefton magistrates court in the seaside town of Southport, around seven miles from Gerrard’s home in Formby.

The charges relate to an incident at the Lounge Inn, a few hundred yards away from the court building, in the town centre in the early hours of December 29th last year. Gerrard had been in the bar with friends celebrating Liverpool’s 5-1 defeat of Newcastle United earlier in the day, which had strengthened the club’s bid to win its first league title since 1990.

Businessman Marcus McGee (34), a father of two, suffered a broken tooth and cuts to the face during a melee at the nightclub.

At a previous hearing, Gerrard indicated he would be pleading not guilty. Yesterday the 28-year-old spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth during his appearance in the courtroom. Five other defendants were also charged with affray. No formal pleas have yet been made. (Guardian Service)