BLUES midfielder Guirane N’Daw’s request to change the terms of his bail so that he can leave the UK to find another club has been rejected by a district judge.

N’Daw was released on bail on the condition that he remains in the UK after he pleaded not guilty to a charge of assault causing actual bodily harm to his wife, Bigue Ndiaye N’Daw, at an earlier hearing. He appeared at South East Suffolk Magistrates’ Court yesterday to ask for alterations to those conditions.

The court was told that the Senegalese international, who joined Ipswich Town in August last year on loan from French club Saint Etienne, would need his passport and French identification card returned in order to leave the UK to find work.

The 6ft 3in footballer, of Neptune Square, Ipswich, wore jeans and a red and black top during his appearance in court. He spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth.

District Judge Celia Dawson expressed her surprise that N’Daw – who earns £18,000 a week, £8,000 of which is paid by Ipswich Town – requested the use of an interpreter during the hearing.

His solicitor, Sumeer Chauthry, said his client was a professional footballer who needed to travel the world to work. He said N’Daw’s spell at Ipswich Town would come to an end shortly when his contract expired.

He added: “Mr N’Daw has to seek further employment and he will need to travel to clubs outside the UK. Mr N’Daw needs to be able to travel with his agent to meet other clubs.”

Mr Chauthry said his client could pay the court £20,000 the same day as security and would sign in at a police station the day before the next hearing.

But District Judge Dawson rejected N’Daw’s plea, adding: “His playing ability can be put to potential new employers from observing video footage. He has an agent working his behalf.”