NEWCASTLE United star Nolberto Solano is at the centre of a drinks scandal in his native Peru.

The winger is facing an early end to his international career after clashing with national coach Julio Cesar Uribe over his drinking.

Solano is in the doghouse after being shown on national television drinking with friends on the streets of Lima.

It was the second occasion in less than a year that Solano has been filmed drinking, leaving Uribe "mortified".

Uribe said: "It mortifies me. A player can have a glass of beer in his house and nobody minds.

"But the public image of the professional footballer must be perfect and it was an error.

"We will talk on the subject later.

"I must talk to the player."

But Solano said the matter had been blown out of proportion.

He said: "I went to greet my friends in my old district and I had a single glass of beer - nothing to excess.

"I am on holiday now and not in competition.

"This happened at 6.30 in the afternoon and I don't think it is a tremendous offence."