FORMER Ipswich Town star Jason Dozzell is to appear in court on a drink-driving charge, it emerged today.

FORMER Ipswich Town star Jason Dozzell is to appear in court on a drink-driving charge, it emerged today.

Dozzell, who recently celebrated his 40th birthday, was stopped in the Cardinal Park area of Ipswich on Sunday at around 3.45am.

The ex-Blues midfielder, of Larkhill Rise, Ipswich, will appear at South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court on New Year's Eve to answer the charge.

It is understood Dozzell was stopped after enjoying a night out in town with a number of fellow former Ipswich players, including John Wark and Chris Kiwomya.

Dozzell was unavailable for comment today

A spokeswoman for Suffolk Constabulary confirmed Dozzell had been arrested and charged with drink-driving.

The former Chantry High School pupil shot to stardom in 1984 when, aged 16 years and 57 days, he became the youngest ever player to score in the old First Division.

His record-breaking goal came in a 3-1 home win over Coventry City.

The former England under-21 cap racked up 320 appearances at Portman Road, netting 52 goals in the process.

In 1993, Tottenham Hotspur shelled out £1.9million to take Dozzell to London, where he spent four seasons, making 80 appearances and scoring 13 times.

An indifferent spell at White Hart Lane led to Dozzell returning briefly to Ipswich on loan in 1997.

However, then Town boss George Burley opted not to resign the midfielder on a permanent basis.

Dozzell turned out in the colours of Northampton Town and Colchester United towards the end of his career.

Following his retirement, Dozzell spent spells managing Ipswich Wanderers and Leiston in the Ridgeons Premier League.