West Ham’s Davenport denies assault charge

West Ham defender Calum Davenport pleaded not guilty Tuesday to assaulting his sister in an incident in which both he and his mother were stabbed.

The 26-year-old appeared in court in Bedford, north of London, on a charge of causing actual bodily harm to Cara Davenport, 28, on August 22.

The footballer spoke only to confirm his name, address, date of birth and to deny the charge.

His sister’s boyfriend, 25-year-old Worrell Whitehurst, has been charged with attacking the footballer and his mother, 49-year-old Kim Stupple, and will appear in court next Monday.

Davenport required surgery on both legs after the incident outside his family home in Bedford on the same day, August 22. However, he has since been able to return to light training and swimming.

Davenport is a former England Under-21 international, who cost West Ham three million pounds (five million dollars, 3.3 million euros) when he joined from English Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur in 2007.

The centre-back, who started his career at Coventry City, spent a spell on loan at Sunderland last season and has also been loaned out to Watford.

His case was adjourned until January 12.