ESPNsoccernet: England

Sunderland defender Titus Bramble faces a third charge of sexual assault.

Bramble, 30, was accused of indecently touching two women in separate incidents on a night out in Yarm, Teesside, in September.

At a hearing at Teesside Magistrates' Court, the player was told an additional sexual assault charge relating to one of the existing complainants was to be added to the indictment.

Bramble, of Wellington Drive, Wynyard, Teesside, denied the new charge.

He had already pleaded not guilty to the original two sexual assault charges.

Bramble was formally cleared of a charge of urinating in a public place after the prosecution said it was no longer being pursued.

His case was committed to the Crown Court and a trial will take place on a date to be set.

Bramble's solicitor, Phil Smith from London-based Tuckers Solicitors, said in a statement after the hearing that the charges were "based on poor quality and contradictory evidence" and will be "fervently denied".

Mr Smith added: "Titus very much looks forward to the opportunity to clear his name at his trial in the crown court."