A burglar who ended up in a brawl with footballer Duncan Ferguson when he was caught raiding the star's home has been jailed for four years.

Carl Bishop, 37, was apprehended by the Everton striker when he broke into his home in Formby, Merseyside.

The drug addict, from Walton, in Liverpool, required two days of hospital treatment following the incident and complained that he had been assaulted by Ferguson, but this was dismissed by police.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that Ferguson had two properties at the same location in Formby - one where he lives with his wife and daughter and another which he uses as a gymnasium and storage area.

The incident happened very quickly and Mr Ferguson was very frightened Anthony Limont prosecutor

Bishop had taken heroin and cocaine in the days before the burglary and broke into the storage house, where he piled up crates of champagne, whisky and other spirits in preparation for stealing.

Former Scotland, Rangers and Dundee United star Ferguson had been going to use the gym at 2000 GMT on 8 January and challenged Bishop when he spotted him.

Slightly built Bishop attempted to hit the 6ft 4in player with a vodka bottle which then smashed.

Ferguson punched Bishop in the face and grappled him to the floor.

Prosecutor Anthony Limont said Ferguson told police: "I ducked down and lashed out with my fist and struck him on the side of the face."

Ferguson hurt his knee in the fight and Bishop was left battered and bruised.

Drugs test

Mr Limont added: "The incident happened very quickly and Mr Ferguson was very frightened. It being dark he had no way of knowing if this man was with others or if he was carrying a weapon."

It emerged that Bishop should have been in jail when the offence took place.

He ignored a recall notice after failing a drugs test while out on licence.

Bishop was sentenced to four years for trespassing with intent to steal and 12 months for failing to return to jail while on licence.

It was the second time Ferguson had confronted intruders at his home.

Two years ago Michael Pratt and Barry Dawson were disturbed by Mr Ferguson as they broke into his then home in Rufford in west Lancashire.

Pratt escaped but Dawson was restrained by Ferguson until the police arrived.