West Ham's Calum Davenport denies assaulting sister

West Ham defender Calum Davenport appeared in court on Tuesday charged with assaulting his sister in an incident that saw him later stabbed in both legs.

Davenport is accused of causing actual bodily harm to Cara Davenport, 28, on August 22. The 26-year-old, of Greenfield, Bedford, pleaded not guilty at Bedford Magistrates' Court.

Davenport spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth and to deny the charge. His sister's boyfriend, Worrell Whitehurst, 25, is charged with attacking the centre-back as well as his mother, 49-year-old Kim Stupple, in the driveway of her home in Bedford, and will appear at Luton Crown Court next Monday.

Davenport, a former England Under-21 international, has been able to return to light training and swimming after surgery which left him with a 15-inch scar on his leg. His case was adjourned for committal to January 12 at the same court.