Former Newcastle United player Joey Barton has denied allegations regarding offences of malicious communications following tweets said to be sent to football pundit Eni Aluko.

The 41-year-old former midfielder turned manager appeared at Warrington Magistrates' Court on Tuesday in the wake of a probe by Cheshire Constabulary. Allegations against Barton involve posts on social media around the early days of January, purportedly aimed at 37-year-old former England international, Aluko.

Barton has entered a plea of not guilty.

Presiding over the court, Judge Ikram declared, "Mr Barton, I am sending your case to the crown court. You will appear at 9.30am on the 27th August. I am granting you conditional bail with one condition that you will not make any mention of Eni Aluko on any social media, and that is either directly or indirectly, or by inference."

Continuing, he added, "I am imposing that condition to ensure no further offences are created. Make sure you are there on time please. If you do not appear, a warrant may be issued. You are free to leave the court.", reports the Mirror.

Barton acknowledged the judge's orders with a nod before exiting alongside his defence solicitor Richard Derby.

In January, Barton allegedly equated Aluko and fellow football pundit Lucy Ward to serial killers Fred and Rose West. At the time, the women were working for ITV as pundits on the FA Cup clash between Crystal Palace and Everton. In a follow-up tweet he is accused of comparing Aluko to Joseph Stalin and Pol Pot, prosecutor Joshua Sanderson-Kirk told the court.