England international Stewart Downing has been arrested after allegedly punching his ex-girlfriend in a nightclub row.

The Liverpool star is reported to have punched the woman, with whom he is thought to have a child.

Downing, aged 27, was arrested at the Cross Keys club in Yarm, near Middlesborough, at about 1am this morning.

The Daily Mail reports:

A local source told the Mail Online that there had been an incident between the two of them. “She went over to one of his friends and said something that she shouldn’t have,” the source said. “He butted in and they were arguing.” It’s then that the source alleged that he hit her. The source continued: “Police got there as they were thrown out. He caused a scene outside the club as well, when he realised they were going to take him in.”

Police confirmed that a 27-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman had both been arrested on suspicion of assault and remained in custody.