BENJAMIN MENDY will remain suspended by Manchester City despite being granted bail on Friday.
The French international defender, 27, is accused of seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault and will stand trial later this year.
Mendy was granted bail during a hearing at Chester Crown Court on Friday and will be back to enter a plea on January 24.
However the Man City player will not be returning to the Etihad upon his release from prison.
Mendy was suspended by the club when he was arrested in August – and that remains in place.
Earlier this season, he played in the Community Shield at Wembley and the opening day defeat to Tottenham before he was charged later that month.
The former Monaco defender’s lawyer has denied the charges against the footballer – which come from five different accusers.
The offences are alleged to have taken place between October 2020 and August 2021.
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Mendy, of Prestbury, Cheshire has been in custody since August 26 last year and was previously denied bail on three occasions.
Judge Patrick Thompson said Mendy will be subject to strict conditions before the trial starts properly in the summer.
He must surrender his passport, live at his home address and make no contact with any of the complainants.
Judge Thompson also warned the player a warrant will be issued for his arrest if he fails to appear in court on 24 January.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk