Ex-Sunderland winger Cabral to stand trial charged with rape

Former Sunderland midfielder Cabral is to go on trial accused of two counts of rape.

The 27-year-old was arrested earlier this year following the alleged incident in Gateshead.

Cabral, who goes by the real name Adilson Tavares Varela, is due to stand trial in Newcastle on April 25.

A Northumbria Police spokesman said: "We can confirm that Adilson Tavares Varela was arrested on January 25 2015, and subsequently charged with rape on June 24 2015."

During his time with Sunderland, the former Switzerland Under-21 international - now at FC Zurich - made just the one Premier League appearance, coming against Fulham in the 2013-14 campaign.

Former Black Cats winger Adam Johnson will be sentenced at Bradford Crown Court later this month after being convicted of sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl.