Ex-Premier League star Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, 34, is charged with attacking his wife at their luxury home

FORMER Premier League star Nathaniel Mendez-Laing has appeared in court after denying claims that he beat his wife.

The MK Dons winger, 34, is accused of attacking Saira Mendez-Laing at their luxury home in Shenstone, Staffordshire, in June.

Mendez-Laing, who had stints with Cardiff City and Wolves, was arrested and charged with assault by beating after police were called to their house.

The former England under-17s star appeared at Cannock magistrates’ court yesterday (Fri) where he denied one count of assault by beating.

Birmingham-born Mendez-Laing, who arrived at court on crutches, spoke only to confirm his name, age and address.

The court was told that Saira, who is the mother of Nathaniel’s child, had allegedly been repeatedly struck over the head and had injured her arm in the incident.

The argument is said to have begun after a “disagreement about a phone”, the court heard, though Mendez-Laing denies any physical attack.

Charges were authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service last month, it is understood.

District Judge Joseph O’Connor freed the footballer on conditional bail and said he will stand trial in January next year.

Mendez-Laing plays for the Guatemala national team as both his mother and maternal grandmother were born in the Central American country.

He scored four goals in 20 appearances for Cardiff in the Premier League in 2019/20 before leaving in September 2020.

Mendez-Laing and Saira tied the knot in June of last year.

A photo of the forward’s wedding day was posted on the official MK Dons social media accounts with a congratulatory message.

The club, who sit 19th in League One, said it could not comment on an ongoing court case.