Manchester City's Benjamin Mendy arrives at court as he faces trial with co-defendant Louis Saha Matturie

The trial of Manchester City player Benjamin Mendy - and co-defendant Louis Saha Matturie - is set to begin. The footballer's case is due to be heard at Chester Crown Court this morning.

The Blues defender - who has arrived at court - is accused of eight counts of rape; one account of sexual assault; and one attempted rape. The charges relate to seven women.

Mr Mendy, 28, of Prestbury, Cheshire, has pleaded not guilty to all but one rape charge, for which he has not yet entered a plea after it was added to the trial last month. All offences are alleged to have taken place at his home address in Cheshire and span between October 2018 and August last year.

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Co-defendant Mr Matturie, 40, of Eccles, Salford, has entered not guilty pleas to eight counts of rape; and four counts of sexual assault, relating to eight alleged victims. The first few days of the trial will involve swearing-in a jury and other administrative matters.

The trial is expected to last more than three months with up to eight alleged victims, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, expected to give evidence.

As part of the conditions of his bail, Mr Mendy has had to forfeit his passport and reside at his home in Cheshire. He had also been told not to contact any complainants.

He joined Manchester City from Monaco in 2017 in a deal worth more than £50m. The 10-times France international has made more than 70 appearances for the Citizens and has won three Premier League medals.