Sunderland defender Titus Bramble appeared in court on Friday to deny sexual assault charges.

Bramble: Denies all four charges

The 30-year-old is accused of indecently touching two women in separate incidents during a night out in Yarm, Teesside, on September 28 last year.

Bramble, of Wynyard, near Middlesbrough, appeared at Teesside Crown Court for a plea and directions hearing.

The prosecution said it was changing the indictment to add a fourth sexual assault charge which stems from the original two incidents.

He denies all four charges.

In the first he is accused of indecently touching one alleged victim.

In the second count, he is alleged to have touched another woman's leg and moved his hand towards her crotch without consent.

In the last two counts, he is accused of twice placing her hand on his crotch.

Bramble, who wore a dark suit, white shirt and blue tie for the brief hearing, spoke in a clear voice to say "Not guilty" after each count was put to him.

Bramble started his career at Ipswich and also played for Newcastle and Wigan before signing for Sunderland.