Former Walsall and England striker Michael Ricketts has admitted butting his girlfriend outside a restaurant.

The footballer, of Four Oaks, Sutton Coldfield,  attacked Nuala McEwan in Hale, Greater Manchester, earlier this month after accusing her of being disloyal.

Magistrates in Trafford heard how Miss McEwan, aged 33, was left with a large bump to the head and a bruised eye at the hands of 32-year-old Ricketts.

Ms Eileen Rogers, prosecuting, told the court: “She saw his hand coming towards her neck.

“She could feel a bang and then felt a headbutt to her face. She said she fell back to the floor and it all went black. She heard somebody saying stop it.”

Officers who were passing at the time arrested Ricketts and Miss McEwan was taken to hospital for treatment.

Gwyn Lewis, defending, said Ricketts had been “extremely concerned” by what had happened.

“He accepts he caused these injuries but it is completely out of character,” he said.

“The victim accepts that there was a certain element of provocation.”

Ricketts and Miss McEwan had been in a relationship for around eight years and they intend to get back together.

Miss McEwan did not seek a restraining order and had even attempted to retract her statement, the court heard.

Ricketts was told to expect a community punishment when he is sentenced on January 17.

He started his career at Walsall before moving on to Bolton and winning an England cap.

He also played for Leeds and Middlesbrough before returning to the Saddlers for a second spell in 2008.

The striker left Tranmere Rovers earlier this year and is searching for another club.