Updated 10:34am: FOUR York City footballers arrested after a late night altercation in the city centre have been released on police bail.

Strikers Michael Rankine and Michael Gash, winger Craig Nelthorpe and goalkeeper Michael Ingham, were arrested in the early hours of Sunday morning following an incident at the Subway food outlet in Clifford Street.

The four – who had been in The Gallery nightclub – are understand to have been involved in a disagreement with two adult males.

Acting Chief Inspector of Operations for North Yorkshire Police, Mark Iveson, said the disagreement “escalated into violence” and the two males were subjected to a “serious assault”, one of which ended up in York Hospital with facial injuries.

The football stars were consequently arrested and remained in custody at York police station last night.

Speaking to The Press this morning, Acting Chief Insp Iveson said: “Following the arrest and subsequent interview of four York City footballers, all have now been released on bail whilst police enquiries continue.

“One of the injured parties was taken to York Hospital in the early hours of Sunday morning where he received treatment for facial injuries.

“He was released later that day.

“We can not comment further at this stage.”

City manager Martin Foyle said last night that he had given all the players the go-ahead to have a night out at the end of the run of pre-season matches.

The City's pre-season programme of matches ended in a 3-1 defeat at AFC Halifax Town on Saturday. Nelthorpe had been red-carded in the game at The Shay on Saturday afternoon, City’s Blue Square Premier campaign is due to start on Saturday away to Oxford United.

Manager Martin Foyle said: “There was a little bit of bother.

“From the start, I want to make it clear that I gave these boys permission to go out, the whole squad went out. “They all had a bite to eat together, it was their night to let their hair down after working really hard during the pre-season.

“Typically, at the end of the night there was an incident. It’s hard to comment as I haven’t got all the facts. It is all on CCTV so I’m going to wait to see what that brings to light.

“I’ve had players in trouble before, it happens, but I’m taking no immediate action until I know more.”