Bristol Rovers midfielder David Pipe has been charged following an alleged attack in the city centre.

The 26-year-old footballer will appear at Bristol Magistrates' Court next month to face a charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. The offence carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

Police were called to Park Street at about 4am on September 16 following reports of a fight outside a Spar convenience store.

A 29-year-old man was taken to Frenchay Hospital with a fractured skull. Pipe was suspended by Rovers after the incident.

At the time the club said it would carry out its own internal investigation.

Yesterday, spokeswoman Kirsty Pugh said: "This is now a matter for the courts. We will wait to see the outcome of the case before we decide on any further course of action."

Pipe has been on loan to Cheltenham Town since November 26 and played in their away defeat to Chesterfield last Saturday.

A spokesman for Cheltenham Town said the club had no comment to make on whether Pipe would be suspended in light of the charge, and said it wouldn't take any action before talking to Bristol Rovers.

Pipe signed for Rovers in July 2007 in a £50,000 move from Notts County, and has since scored three goals in 78 appearances.

The Welshman previously played for Coventry City and has captained the Wales Under-21 team.

Pipe has made 10 appearances for Rovers this season, including seven league matches, two Carling Cup matches and one Johnstone's Paint Trophy game.

Since he started his career in 2001 he has played 229 times, scoring nine goals.

After his move to Cheltenham he did not play for two-and-a-half months.

He has made three appearances for the club, first turning out for the Robins on December 1.