NEWCASTLE United star Craig Bellamy is to appear in court charged with a public order offence arising from an alleged racist incident.

Officials from the Crown Prosecution Service confirmed last night that the £6m striker will appear in court sometime this summer.

The 23-year-old player voluntarily met police two weeks ago to discuss allegations surrounding an incident in the early hours of Monday morning, at the Millennium Plaza in Cardiff.

An Asian nightclub doorman has claimed he was the victim of racial abuse from the Welsh international.

A CPS spokesman said: "He will be summonsed for a public order offence, but he won't appear for quite some time yet.

"When the police have got their file of evidence together, they will discuss with the court to find the next available date. This will not be before July."

Bellamy was in his home town at the time with the Welsh squad, in the run up to a qualifying match with Azerbaijan and Sebia Montenegro at the Millennium Stadium.

Bellamy missed training after the alleged incident, which is said to have taken place as the rest of the Welsh squad assembled at the Vale of Glamorgan Hotel.

Wales are on course to qualify for the finals of a major competition for more than 20 years and Bellamy is expected to play a key role in the team.

Newcastle United declined to comment last night.