West Ham defender Manuel Da Costa has been arrested on suspicion of sexual assault by police investigating an alleged incident at a night club, it emerged on Thursday.

PA PhotosManuel Da Costa has started West Ham's past four league games

Da Costa is on police bail pending further inquiries. The Sun newspaper said the Portuguese player was alleged to have molested a woman dancing at Faces nightclub in Ilford, east London, then to have assaulted her and two of her friends when a row broke out.

Scotland Yard said allegations had been made by a woman in her early 20s at an east London police station in the early hours of Sunday morning. The alleged incident had happened shortly before.

A spokesman said: "On Tuesday a 24-year-old man attended an east London police station by appointment, where he was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and common assault.

"He was later bailed to return to the police station in early December pending further inquiries.''

Portuguese defender Da Costa has made four Premier League appearances for the Hammers this season.