The manager of Southampton Football Club, Dave Jones, has been committed to the crown court for trial on charges of sexually abusing boys at a Merseyside children's home.

The 43-year-old former Everton defender faced three fresh charges of child sex abuse when he made his second appearance before Liverpool city magistrates on Monday.

Mr Jones, a father-of-four, denies four charges of indecent assault and six charges of child abuse.

On Monday two further allegations of indecent assault and one of a serious sexual offence against a boy under the age of 16 were put to him. His solicitor, Linzi McDonald, said he would also be pleading not guilty to the new charges.

The allegations, which concern five boys under the age of 16, date from 1987 to 1990, when Mr Jones was employed as a care worker at a residential children's home on Merseyside.

Bail conditions

Mr Jones, who lives near Southampton, spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth during the seven-minute hearing.

He was granted bail on condition he lives at his home address, does not approach the witnesses named on the committal papers, or employees, past and present, at the care home where he worked, except through his solicitor.

The court made an order preventing identification of the home where Mr Jones was employed and reporting restrictions were not lifted.

Mr Jones, who was born in Liverpool, made his debut as a player for Everton in 1976 but his career was cut short by a knee injury.

After a spell out of the game - during which he worked in children's homes - he returned to football as assistant manager and coach at Morecambe, eventually being appointed manager of Stockport County.

He moved to Southampton in 1997 and earlier this year helped the team ensure Premiership survival by beating Everton 2-0 at The Dell in the last game of the season.