Troubled striker Nile Ranger has agreed to pay a £5,000 fine instead of doing community service because he is too busy finding a new club.

The former Newcastle United man, 22, was ordered to complete 120 hours of community service and nine months supervision by Newcastle Magistrates after admitting common assault in April.

Ranger - who was released by Newcastle in March and is now earning just £30 a day - said he keeps missing probation meetings because he is touring the country meeting football chiefs and agents.