Injured Crystal Palace captain Jason Puncheon has pleaded not guilty to assault following a brawl in a street near a nightclub.
The midfielder was arrested on December 17, and subsequently charged, in relation to an incident outside nightclub Mishiko, in Reigate, Surrey.
Puncheon had missed his side's victory at Leicester a few hours earlier through illness.
The footballer had allegedly got involved in a fight between two girls.
The crocked midfielder arrived at court walking with the aid of crutches, having suffered a season-ending cruciate knee ligament against Manchester City on Sunday.
Puncheon entered not guilty pleas to the section four public order offence, causing fear or provocation of violence and a second charge of common assault.