TWO Accrington Stanley players have been charged in connection with an alleged assault following an incident in which Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard was also arrested.

Goalkeeper Ian Dunbavin, 28, and midfielder Robert (Bobby) Grant, 18, were both charged with affray by Merseyside Police on Tuesday afternoon.

They were arrested after a disturbance at the Lounge Bar in Southport in the early hours of Monday 29 December, questioned and released on bail.

Club DJ Marcus McGee required hospital treatment after receiving facial injuries in the incident.

Stanley chief executive Rob Heys said: "There is nothing for the club to say about this as it is a police matter and will be dealt with by the courts.

"It is nothing to do with us as a club and we won’t be taking any action against the players."

Stanley boss John Coleman said both players would be pleading not guilty.

"We will just let justice take its course," added the Reds boss.

England star Gerrard, 28, and the two Stanley players, who both live on Merseyside, visited the bar with friends following Liverpool’s 5-1 victory over Newcastle United.

Gerrard entered no plea during his first court appearance in January and is scheduled to appear before North Sefton magistrates on 20 March.

Dunbavin, of Southport, has been charged with one count of affray and Grant, of Litherland, has been charged with two counts.

Another man Paul McGrattan, 31, of Huyton, has been charged with affray and assault. All three are scheduled to appear before North Sefton magistrates on Monday.