PA

Chelsea football star John Obi Mikel was arrested for suspected drink-driving hours before his club's weekend FA Cup clash, it has emerged.

The 21-year-old was stopped by police at 5.30am on Saturday after being seen driving his Range Rover "erratically" near the club's ground in London's Fulham Road.

Hours later his team beat Ipswich 3-1 at home in the FA Cup fourth round, although Mikel was not part of the match day squad.

The Nigerian midfielder, who lives in Weybridge, Surrey, and reportedly earns £40,000 a week, has since been charged with driving while over the drink-drive limit, and will appear in court in April.

He faces a year's driving ban or a jail term if the offence is deemed exceptionally serious.

A Chelsea spokesman told The Sun: "We are aware (Mikel) was arrested and charged. we want to establish the facts before we comment."

The player is due to appear at West London Magistrates Court on April 3.