BLACKBURN Rovers footballer Jack Rodwell appeared in court today after he was banned from driving for six months without him knowing.

The 27-year old England international had been convicted in his absence earlier this month after he failed to tell police who was driving a Mercedes registered to him which had allegedly been involved in a road traffic offence.

But the footballer went before Stockport magistrates in Greater Manchester yesterday morning to challenge the conviction for failing to provide information - claiming he was unaware of the case as court documents went to his old address.

Magistrates accepted his explanation and he will now face a trial over the allegation at Warrington in November.

The ban - imposed under totting up procedure as he already had six points on his licence - has now been overturned.

Rodwell was also fined £660 with £166 in prosecution costs and a £66 victim surcharges at the earlier hearing. But those penalties will also be withdrawn.

Rodwell told the hearing: “I only found out about the case on September 15 because information was forwarded to my new address outlining the details of the charge imposed.’’

His lawyer Chris Evans added: “Mr Rodwell had moved address and by the time he became aware of the matter it was over 28 days.

On September 15 information was forwarded to the new address that outlined there was a conviction and disqualification.”

Rodwell, who lives in Heybridge Lane, Prestbury, Cheshire, denies failing to give information relating to the identification of driver of a £59,000 Mercedes GLE coupe which allegedly was involved in an undisclosed offence in the Winsford area on June 8.

Utility man Rodwell signed for Rovers on August 23 after his reported £70,000 a week contract with Sunderland was cancelled on June 27.

Blackburn Rovers have been contacted for comment.