BLACKBURN Rovers midfielder Aaron Mokoena has been charged with driving while disqualified and without insurance.

The South African, aged 25, was arrested on the A59 at Samlesbury just after 10am yesterday after his car was stopped on the way to the club's Brockhall training ground.

Mokoena, who is known as "The Axe" for his tough-tackling style, was taken to Greenbank police station, Whitebirk, and put in the cells before being questioned by officers.

Late in the afternoon, he was charged and bailed to appear at court.

A police spokesman said: "Aaron Mokoena was arrested on the A59 at Samlesbury yesterday morning. He was charged with driving while disqualified and using a motor vehicle without insurance.

"He has been bailed to appear before Blackburn magistrates on April 5."

In December, Mokoena was banned from driving for one year by Macclesfield magistrates after being convicted of failing to supply a specimen of breath.

Mokoena was one of Rovers boss Mark Hughes' first signings, joining the club for £300,000 in January 2005 from Belgium side Racing Genk.

He made 16 appearances last season and was a success in an anchor-man midfield role.

But he has struggled to hold down a regular place in the team this season after Hughes abandoned his 4-5-1 formation.

He has started just three matches this season, making 15 substitute appearances.

Mokoena made has made 55 appearances for his country, 14 of those as captain.

However he was ousted from the captain's role this January following a ballot by his team mates.