Footballer Adam Johnson in Bradford court on child sex charges

The footballer, 28, who has been capped 12 times by the England national team, appeared at Bradford Crown Court, dressed in a smart black suit and open collar white shirt.

He only spoke to confirm his name during the hour and a half legal pre-trial review hearing.

Johnson, from Castle Eden, County Durham, pleaded not guilty to three counts of sexual activity with a child and one count of child grooming at a previous hearing at Durham Crown Court.

At the end of the hearing, Judge Jonathan Rose bailed Sunderland winger Johnson until his trial, which is due to begin in February.

Johnson began his career at Middlesbrough before moving to Leeds United on loan, then Manchester City and finally Sunderland for £10 million in 2012.