Solano denies drink problem

Newcastle's Nolberto Solano has dismissed allegations that he has a drink problem.

The 31-year-old recently escaped serious injury in a car crash in his native Peru, despite reports that he had fallen asleep at the wheel.

A local TV reporter is believed to have branded Solano, who was also banned from driving in 2001 for a drink driving offence, an alcoholic.

The midfielder has shrugged off the accusation as ridiculous, and insisted that he was jet lagged after flying out to Lima for a holiday.

"That (calling him an alcoholic) was a stupid thing to say," he told his homeland press.

"How could I be an alcoholic and still play football in Europe for the past five years?

"I blinked for a second and lost control. Then I hit the kerb."

In the interview Solano also stressed that he only liked to have the odd beer now and again, and thanked God that he walked away from the crash with just a minor head injury.