A Surrey-based Premier League manager from Weybridge may claim someone spiked his drink the day he was arrested for drink driving.

Blackburn Rovers boss Steve Kean, who lives in Weybridge, pleaded not guilty to being twice over the legal drink-drive limit when stopped on the M6 on May 14, hours after he saw his side draw 1-1 with champions Manchester United.

The 43-year-old appeared at Crewe Magistrates’ Court, represented by Nick Flanagan, who specialises in helping celebrities and figures from the sporting world fight motoring offence allegations - such as Kean's opposite number on May 14, Sir Alex Ferguson.

Keane was driving his Mercedes E250 when he was stopped at around 8.50pm, between junctions 18 and 19 heading southbound, the court heard.

It is alleged that Kean registered 65 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath after a roadside test. The legal limit is 35.

He was held at Cheshire Police but was released hours later.

Mr Flanagan told the bench that he would be challenging the intoxication reading procedure, on the grounds that the two separate tests were taken too far apart.

He also told the court that the defence was waiting on medical reports which could provide expert evidence for a "spiked or laced drink argument".

It was not said where or when Kean alleges his drink was spiked.

When summoned to appear as the defendant, Kean stood to the side of the court, in front of the glass dock, with his hands behind his back and spoke to confirm his address.

As the court decided on a date for trial, Kean was asked when the new season started and replied "August 22".

He will now face a one-day trial at Macclesfield Magistrates’ Court on Monday, August 15 - less than a week before the new campaign kicks off.

Following his arrest and charge last month, he flew out to India for a pre-arranged meeting with the club’s owners Venky’s.

Blackburn Rovers declined to comment on an ongoing police matter.