POLICE are investigating a rape claim involving a teenage footballer who plays for a North-East club.

But the Northumbria force stressed today that the allegation was not made by either woman said to have been involved in the incident.

The England youth player and a friend have made witness statements to police, but neither has been arrested.

Women aged 18 and 20 are said to have visited an address in Gateshead before leaving in the early hours of Monday.

An allegation of rape was made to police by a third party several hours later, leading to the footballer and friend being asked to give a statement.

A force spokeswoman said today: "We can confirm that we were made aware of an allegation of rape involving two women.

"This was in relation to an incident at a residential address on Monday.

"Police are making inquiries into the incident.

"However, no complaint of rape has been made."

The footballer and the other man who have given statements have not been identified by police.