Footballer Garry O’Connor has told a court he wants to resolve his court case over drugs charges because the allegations are causing “contractual difficulties”.

On Thursday, solicitor Jonathan Campbell told Edinburgh Sheriff Court the Hibs player wants a resolution to charges which allege he resisted police arrest and was caught possessing cocaine.

Mr Campbell told Sheriff Derrick McIntyre O'Connor, 28, was not ready to go to trial as defence QC Paul McBride was spending the day acting in a High Court case.

He asked for the trial to be adjourned and for a new date for the hearing to be fixed.

But after hearing how the procurator fiscal didn't object to the case being postponed, Sheriff McIntyre asked whether O'Connor was receiving preferential treatment because of his status.

After agreeing to fix a new trial date, Sheriff McIntyre asked: "Does he get special treatment because he's a footballer?"

The footballer has pleaded not guilty to a charge of resisting police arrest in Hope Street Lane, Edinburgh, on May 14, 2011.

O'Connor, from North Berwick, East Lothian, also denies possessing a quantity of cocaine on the same date at the same location.

Mr Campbell told the court O'Connor's preferred lawyer couldn't represent him as he was acting in another case. But he also said that the soccer player was keen to see the matter "resolved" and wanted to return to court at the earliest opportunity.

He said: "He has instructed Mr McBride QC. He is paying him privately. Mr McBride is today engaged in a high court first diet hearing which has been called at short notice.

"There is potential resolution in this case. Whilst these matters continue to hang over Mr O'Connor, I can say it is causing him contractual difficulties with his employer. He is keen to see the matter resolved. He is a footballer my lord. I would ask you to fix new dates."

Sheriff McIntyre adjourned the trial until May 13.