The striker moved to Liverpool in June in a �6m transfer

Mr Bellamy, 26, pleaded not guilty to assaulting Holly Smith and Sophie Palmer at the Number 10 nightclub in Cardiff in February.

His co-defendant Franklin Lynch, 52, from Barry, Vale of Glamorgan denied one charge of assault.

The case was adjourned for a pre-trial hearing on 18 July.

During the 15 minute hearing at the city's magistrates court, the defendants spoke to confirm their names, addresses, dates of birth and to enter not guilty pleas.

Mr Bellamy, who travelled down from Liverpool last night, gave his address as Rumney in Cardiff.

Trial date

Mr Lynch denied a charge of assaulting Ms Palmer.

Solicitor Matthew de Maid told the deputy district judge Mark Layton: "Mr Bellamy's motivation is to clear his name".

Neither defendant is required to attend the pre-trial hearing and they were remanded on bail.

A preliminary trial date at the magistrates' court was set for 29-30 August.

The former Blackburn Rovers, Celtic and Newcastle United footballer appeared wearing brown striped trousers, striped open-necked shirt and a diamond stud in his ear.