Former footballer Joey Barton and a second suspect have been arrested after a man was assaulted near a golf club.

It happened on Sunday at 21:00 GMT in Fairway, near Huyton and Prescot Golf Club on Merseyside.

Officers arrived at the scene and found a man with injuries to his face and ribs, Merseyside Police said.

A 50-year-old man and a 43-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of wounding. Both men remain in custody for questioning.

Police said the victim was taken to hospital for assessment of injuries to his face and ribs.

At a High Court hearing earlier over a libel claim involving Barton, Gervase de Wilde, representing ex-England footballer Eni Aluko, said his instructing solicitor had "received a call from a duty solicitor in a police station in Liverpool" shortly before the hearing.

Mr de Wilde told the court that Barton "was arrested yesterday and is currently being held in custody".

Barton played for clubs including Manchester City, Newcastle United, Queens Park Rangers, Burnley and Rangers.

The midfielder then moved into management after his retirement from playing football in 2017.

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