FORMER Blues’ loan star Nicklas Bendtner has been charged with criminal damage after cars were allegedly vandalised close to the home of his latest club’s arch rivals.

Striker Bendtner, now on loan at Sunderland, and club captain Lee Cattermole will face magistrates later this month following an alleged incident in Newcastle city centre in December.

Northumbria Police said the team-mates, who both live in Ponteland, Northumberland, will face five charges of criminal damage relating to cars parked in Stowell Street in Newcastle’s China Town, a popular haunt with fans of the Geordie club.

The damage was alleged to have been caused at around 10pm on December 6, two days after Sunderland lost 2-1 at Wolves.

Bendtner, a 24-year-old Denmark international, spent a year on loan at St Andrew’s in 2006.

They will appear before Newcastle magistrates on February 27.