NEWCASTLE United footballer Nile Ranger has been arrested following a night out drinking with friends.

Police arrested the striker in the early hours of yesterday morning in Newcastle's Cathedral Square.

The 20-year-old, who has only just been reinstated to first team training after a three-month exile in the Newcastle United reserves, was charged with being drunk and disorderly and will appear before magistrates.

The arrest could land Ranger in trouble with the club if it is proved he broke a curfew on consuming alcohol 48 hours before tonight's trip to Stoke.

The troubled forward was told to find a new club in the summer after several warnings about his discipline.

Police confirmed Ranger was questioned for more than four hours before he was charged and released on bail.

A Northumbria Police spokesman said the London-born player was arrested at 1.40am yesterday.

He said: "Police arrested a 20-year-old man for being drunk and disorderly in the Cathedral Square area of Newcastle city centre.

"Nile Ranger, 20, has been charged with being drunk and disorderly and will appear at magistrates court later this month."

A Newcastle United spokesman declined to comment today.