FORMER Argyle striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake has appeared before

Plymouth magistrates to face a charge of assault after an

alleged bottling incident outside a Union Street nightclub.

The 21-year-old footballer pleaded not guilty to assaulting

Greg Smith, causing him actual bodily harm, outside the Candy

Store nightclub on the night of November 11, 2007.

Ebanks-Blake, who was bought from Manchester United in July

2006 and sold last month by Argyle to Wolverhampton Wanderers

for £1.5million, also faces a public order offence of

threatening unlawful violence.

A 37-year-old man, believed to be a doorman, had suffered a two

to three inch cut to his head in the alleged incident.

The player, who was represented by his solicitor John Fletcher,

was told by magistrates that his case would be sent to crown

court in Plymouth for trial.

He was given unconditional bail to return to the magistrates

court on April 11 for committal proceedings.

Ebanks-Blake was arrested on November 11 after Argyle’s 3-0

Championship victory over Norwich City at Home Park.