• No further action after incident on 8 January in Yarm • England winger was visiting friends and family on Teesside

This article is more than 8 years old

This article is more than 8 years old

Stewart Downing will not face charges relating to the Liverpool player's arrest last month on suspicion of assault, police have said.

The 27-year-old England winger was held for questioning following an alleged incident at the Cross Keys pub in Yarm, Teesside, at around 1am on 8 January.

A 32-year-old woman also arrested at the time on suspicion of assault remains on police bail.

A Cleveland police spokeswoman said: "A 27-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of assault following an alleged incident at a pub on Yarm High Street has been released without charge.

"A 32-year-old woman who was also arrested on suspicion of assault remains on bail pending further inquiries. Inquiries are ongoing."

Downing played for his hometown club, Middlesbrough, before moving to Aston Villa and then Liverpool in the summer of 2011. He was believed to be visiting friends and family on Teesside at the time of the incident.