BOLTON Wanderer’s footballer Chris Eagles is facing a six-month driving ban after being caught speeding in his white Bentley while on his mobile phone.

The 26-year-old winger was caught driving at 60mph in a 40 mph zone by a police officer using a hand-held speed camera in Manchester last summer, Manchester City Magistrates heard.

At the time, the ex-Manchester United and Burnley star already had seven points on his licence.

Eagles was not in court when magistrates indicated they intended to impose an additional five points — which would result in an automatic ban.

The case was adjourned until April 11 for Eagles defence team to decide whether they would launch an “exceptional hardship”

argument in a bid to keep him on the road.

Eagles, who lives in Bowdon, Altrincham, had originally denied the phone offence until the prosecution provided DVD evidence, said Ben Collinson.

The stretch of Princess Road where Eagles was caught in June is a notorious area for speeding, the court heard.

Rachael Walsh, defending, said Eagles had answered the call from his sister who has a life threatening illness and “he had feared for her safety”.

The court heard he drives 20,000 miles a year carrying out charity work and spent time caring for his younger siblings and a nephew.

Miss Walsh said he has since got rid of the Bentley.

She added: “If there was a ban, it would not only impact on him, but his closer family and his charity work.”

Eagles admitted speeding and using a mobile phone while driving.

He will have to appear in court if he pursues the hardship defence and will have to provide proof of earning