Canberra Raiders fullback Jack Wighton will plead not guilty to nine charges after facing court in the ACT, as the club confirmed he would continue to train and play.

Wighton, 25, briefly appeared in ACT Magistrates Court this morning to face nine charges including three counts of inflicting actual bodily harm and five assault charges against three named complainants as well as three unknown persons.

He is also charged with one count of public urination.

The charges relate to an altercation which is understood to have occurred outside a nightclub in Canberra in February this year.

At his first appearance today, Wighton’s lawyer told the court he would be pleading not guilty to all charges.

He was supported in court by Raiders coach Ricky Stuart, along with the club’s football manager Matt Ford and media manager Ben Pollack.

The club said Wighton would continue to train and play.

“The Raiders continue to work with the NRL Integrity Unit and have informed them of the latest developments,” the club said in a statement.

He has been named in the starting team for this Saturday’s NRL match against Parramatta at GIO Stadium.

Wighton missed Canberra’s last game against Canterbury after his partner gave birth to their second child on the morning of the match.

He is contracted to the Raiders until the end of the 2020 season and has played 121 NRL games since making his debut in 2012.

In a press conference this morning, his teammates said they were not letting the allegations affect their preparations.

“He’s a strong lad and from what I see around in training, he’s doing awesome,” player Jordan Rapana said. 

Luke Batman said: “He’s been going very well, as well as you can be.”

Wighton did not comment as he left court.

The case was adjourned and will return to court for hearing on July 10.

With AAP. 

© Nine Digital Pty Ltd 2018

Former Plymouth Argyle winger Jason Puncheon has been charged in connection with a fracas outside a nightclub in which a man was punched.

Puncheon, of The Warren, Kingswood, Surrey, has been charged with a Section 4 public order offence causing fear or provocation of violence, possession of an offensive weapon and common assault.

The 31-year-old ad been partying with friends at nearby nightclub Mishiko beforehand.

Puncheon arrived at court on Friday, December 5 walking with the aid of crutches, having been injured in a match against Manchester City on Sunday.

He entered not guilty pleas to a section four public order offence, causing fear or provocation of violence and a second charge of common assault.

A third charge of possession of an offensive weapon was withdrawn by the prosecution.

Darren Matravers, prosecuting, told the court: “The defendant is caught on CCTV removing the belt from his trousers then approaching a group of people and swinging that belt.

“At that stage it doesn’t appear the belt connects with anybody.

“By committing that act he effectively is causing the fear of immediate violence and hence the section four public order charge against him.

“He walks away, then returns to the group still with the belt in his hand and again he swings the belt and the second time the belt buckle is at the free end and that connects with the back of the victim’s head who has been identified as Paul Mendy, a member of the security staff at the location.

“Fortunately he wasn’t injured after receiving the blow to the head.”

Mr Matravers said police officers attended and reported that Puncheon continued to use “aggressive behaviour”.

Gary Bloxsome, defending, said the CCTV footage described by the prosecutor was a “snapshot” and did not show the events leading up to the incident.

He said it did not show “the defendant being picked upon, this defendant having difficulties within the club, then having additional difficulties.