Sunderland forward Jack Diamond has pleaded not guilty to charge of sexual assault at Newcastle Crown Court.
The 23-year-old appeared in court on Friday morning for an initial hearing linked to one charge of rape and another of sexual assault alleged to have taken place at a home in Tyne and Wear.
Diamond entered a plea of not guilty in the charge relating to sexual assault.
For legal procedural reasons, he was not arraigned to enter a plea in respect of the rape charge.
If the winger is eventually required to enter a plea against the rape allegation he will enter a not guilty plea.
A provisional trial date was set for January 2, 2024, with Diamond released on bail.
The alleged offences are said to have taken place between May 6 and May 9 last year.