IT HAS emerged that Swindon Town striker Nile Ranger is facing yet another court appearance after being charged with drink-driving.

The player, who was cleared of a rape charge last week, was arrested on February 2 by Gwent Police on the M4 in Wales and charged with drink-driving but a warrant was issued for his arrest when he allegedly failed to attend court in Cwmbran, south Wales, on February 19.

Officers from Northumbria Police then arrested Ranger on Saturday, March 2, but he was released with no further police action.

A spokesman from the Northumbria force said: “A 22-year-old man was arrested on a warrant on Saturday on suspicion of failing to appear at Cwmbran Magistrates’ Court. He was released with no further police action.”

The former Newcastle player, who is out of action for the rest of season, is due to appear in court on Tuesday.

A Gwent Police spokesman said: “At 7.15am on February 2 we were called to Magor services on junction 23a of the M4 motorway.

“A 22-year-old man from London was arrested and subsequently charged. He was released on bail to appear at court.”

The news comes just days after it took a jury an hour to acquit the striker of a single charge of rape and he walked free from Newcastle Crown Court, shouting ‘thank God for that’ to the public gallery.

Northumbria Police has confirmed it is internally investigating two of its own officers for neglect of duty in relation to the rape charge.

While the force would not confirm what the investigation centred upon, it is understood the two officers were asked to eject Ranger and the complainant on the night of the incident but failed to do so.

Northumbria Police’s Deputy Chief Constable Steve Ashman said: “We can confirm two officers are currently suspended for neglect of duty.

“We took legal advice and were told if any disciplinary hearing took place before the trial it could prejudice the rape trial. Therefore, we reluctantly postponed misconduct proceedings.”