The Frenchman is accused of a total of nine offences after his latest appearance at Chester Crown Court

Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy is facing a new charge of attempted rape, with a summer date set for him to stand trial.

Mendy was initially charged on multiple counts of sexual assault on August 26, 2021, and held in custody for four months during which time he saw two bail requests denied.

The 27-year-old was granted bail on January 7 and was present again at Chester Crown Court on Wednesday for the latest update in his criminal case.

Mendy was already facing seven counts of rape and one of sexual assault relating to incidents alleged to have taken place between October 2020 and August 2021 involving five women.

Chester Crown Court judge Mr Justice Thompson has now confirmed a new charge of attempted rape involving a new complainant, meaning he now faces nine charges relating to six different women.

The judge also set a trial date of July 25 with another pre-trial hearing to take place on March 11, stating to the court: “I’m conscious of the fact that the complainants have already suffered significant delay. This matter needs to be tried.”

Mendy has not yet entered a plea and only spoke to confirm his identity as he appeared in court alongside co-defendant Louis Saha Matturie.

Man City, who signed Mendy from Monaco for £52 million ($71m) in 2017, suspended Mendy when he was initially charged by police.