DION Donohue’s Nottingham Crown Court appearance later this week has no relation as to why he hasn’t re-signed for Swindon Town, manager Richie Wellens has claimed.

Full back Donohue is alleged to have attacked two men in Mansfield on August 16 last year and is accused of affray, grievous bodily harm and assault.

The 26-year-old is jointly charged with Jacob Mellis, 29, a midfielder and former teammate of Donohue’s at Mansfield Town.

While Donohue was sacked by Mansfield after his arrest, Mellis was only fined two weeks’ wages and has since made 18 appearances for the club.

Both men appeared before Mansfield Magistrates’ Court last month and pleaded not guilty to all three charges – a trial preparation hearing will take place this Friday, January 17.

Despite the above, Town boss Wellens claims that Donohue has picked up an injury in the last month and therefore isn’t fit enough to be re-signed.

Last month, Wellens claimed the EFL blocked Town’s move to re-sign the defender after the club failed to resubmit the agreed contract within five days of his initial short-term deal expiring.

When asked by the Adver if Donohue’s upcoming trial prevented Town from re-signing Donohue on this occasion, Wellens said: “Dion is still injured, and until he gets over that injury then we’re not going to sign a player who is injured and give him a contract until he’s fit and ready to play.

“We had signed him, but we couldn’t register him, therefore the FA would not accept his registration. Therefore, the contract was void.

“Since then, we can sign him, but he’s picked up an injury that means he is nowhere near being close to being able to play football.

“As soon as he’s fit and ready to play, then we’ll trigger that contract and hopefully he can get on with his career.

“In terms of his off-field matters, we’ll keep that in house.”

On the pitch, Town welcome Crewe in League Two this afternoon (3pm).