ENGLAND and Newcastle United star Kieron Dyer ducked out of a court appearance yesterday - so he could play against Liverpool.

The 23-year-old midfielder was expected to appear before magistrates in Grantham, Lincolnshire, to face trial on a speeding charge.

But his lawyer claimed he had no choice but to join his team-mates at Anfield for the Premiership showdown against the Reds.

Citing the Human Rights Act, Barry Warburton, defending, told the court: "Mr Dyer has a contractual obligation which he cannot avoid."

Mr Warburton said there was no way Dyer could attend the hearing and make the kick-off - even though the game did not start until 8pm.

The case was later adjourned after prosecutors admitted that, with or without Dyer, they were not actually ready to start the trial.

The player's non-appearance was the latest in a string of no-shows in the case, which has been rumbling on since early this year.

Dyer missed one hearing after requesting an adjournment because he was preparing to join England's World Cup squad in Korea.

Then he showed too much confidence in England's hopes by asking for the case to be postponed until after the final in Japan.

And after that, he again failed to turn up, instead instructing his solicitors to indicate that he would be denying the charge.

He is alleged to have been speeding on a stretch of the A1, near Grantham, when a 50mph limit was in place because of road-works.

Magistrates conceded that Dyer would not be required to attend court for his day-long trial, which is now scheduled for December 9.

Last year, he was banned for two months and fined £1,000 after he was caught doing more than 100mph on the A1(M) in County Durham.

The rising star was also ticked off by magistrates at Chester-le-Street for standing with his hands in his pockets.

And a few days after his first speeding charge, Dyer's Mercedes was involved in a crash with a Vauxhall Cavalier as both vehicles left the A1(M).