Emiliano Krosi, 23, of Ditton Court Road in Southend-on-Sea, faced 33 counts of conspiracy to commit burglary when he appeared at Guildford Crown Court.

One of those counts is linked to the burglary of Sterling's home, according to Surrey Police.

The break-in was reported in Oxshott, Leatherhead, on 3 December last year, while Sterling was at the World Cup in Qatar with England.

Support for the current Chelsea and former Manchester City forward poured in on social media at the time of the alleged burglary, including from pundit Gary Lineker.

Sterling came home to be with his family when he found out about the incident, meaning he missed England's 3-0 win over Senegal on 4 December.

Judge Rufus Taylor adjourned the case for a plea hearing to take place on 3 November. A two-week trial is due to start on 14 February next year.

He told Krosi, who came to court from HMP Wandsworth: "We will see you for a further case management hearing on 3 November, you will be brought from Wandsworth for that hearing.

"I have fixed a trial in case it's needed for 14 February next year and that will be a 10-day fixed trial. In the mean time, you are remanded in custody."