Footballer at assault hearing

SCOTLAND and Blackburn Rovers footballer David Goodwillie appeared in court yesterday over an allegation he assaulted a man in a city centre street.

He denies punching John Friel, 23, on 3 November last year in Glasgow’s Queen Street.

The 22-year-old was at Glasgow Sheriff Court for a hearing before his trial, which is due to start on 28 October.

Goodwillie flew to Scotland from Alicante on Wednesday night, where he played in Scotland’s Euro 2012 qualifier defeat.