TITANS player Dan Sarginson has faced a Gold Coast court on assault charges after allegedly pushing a security guard during a night out.

The English Super League recruit briefly appeared in the Southport Magistrates Court this morning charged with assault occasioning bodily harm relating to an incident that occurred at the Burleigh Heads Hotel late last month.

He has indicated he will plead not guilty and contest the charge.

media_camera This is the moment Titans player Dan Sarginson tangles with security at a Gold Coast hotel. He’s faced assault charges after allegedly pushing a security guard during a night out.

Police allege Sarginson, 24, became involved in an altercation with the guard when he approached him to found out what had occurred between the man and one of Sarginson’s friends.

Sarginson is believed to have been out with fellow Titan Kevin Proctor and two other British footballers on the evening of the incident.

media_camera Gold Coast Titans player Dan Sarginson faced the media outside Southport Court. Picture Glenn Hampson

While he was originally given a fine for public nuisance, Sarginson was later charged with assault after police found out who he was.

The 24-year-old’s defence lawyer, Campbell MacCallum of Moloney MacCallum Lawyers, said he believed his client had been targeted because of his status as an NRL player.

“It seems to be the flavour to target these particular high-profile persons,” Mr MacCallum said.

“He (Sarginson) originally was just given an infringement ticket and then after it was found out he was playing for the Titans, a complaint was then made and formal charges were laid against him.”

media_camera The Titan ended up on the ground during the scuffle

Mr MacCallum said there had been some “heavy handedness” from the guards at the hotel and Sarginson was expected to make a complaint against the “security providers” involved in the incident.

media_camera Gold Coast Titans player Dan Sarginson outside Southport Court. Picture Glenn Hampson

“There wasn’t much alcohol at all involved,” he said.

“It just seems there was an incident between a third party and a security provider and my client has gone in to ask a question as to why the third party was assaulted and he has become involved in an incident.

“He was taken to the ground and there were a number of punches on him.”

The incident happened just six weeks after Sarginson underwent surgery for an injured shoulder.

“Certainly he was in no position to be in any physical altercation and in fact when he was taken to the ground he was asking them to be careful of his shoulder to no avail,” Mr MacCallum said outside court.

The former Wigan centre had his bail extended and his matter was adjourned until July 20.