BURNLEY Football Club captain Frank Sinclair has been charged with drink driving.

The Clarets' 34-year-old star defender was stopped by police near his home near Bolton at 5.10am last Saturday morning.

He will appear at Bolton Magistrates' Court on Thursday.

Sinclair, who is currently out of action with a hamstring injury, was snapped up by the club 15 months ago on a free transfer.

He signed a two-year extension to his contract in December after playing his part in a formidable defence which saw the Clarets produce a string of clean sheets last season.

The former Chelsea player made three appearances this season before being stretchered from the pitch in Burnley's game at Watford in August.

Police today said Sinclair was stopped by police near his home at 5.10am.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: "On Saturday, 3 September, 2005 a 33-year-old man was charged with driving with excess alcohol.

"Frank Sinclair, of Meadow Brook Close, Lostock, was stopped by police at 5.10am in Meadow Brook Close.

"He will appear at Bolton Magistrates' Court on Thursday, 8 September."

The Jamaican international started his club career at Stamford Bridge in 1990 where he became the club's player of the year in 1993 and was part of the FA Cup winning team in 1997.

He moved to Leicester in a £2million deal in 1998 and helped them qualify for the UEFA Cup and European Cup-Winners' Cup.

Today, Burnley Football Club refused to comment.