Stannard suffered a fractured skull in the alleged unprovoked assault in the early hours of March 30, ruling him out of competing at the Games.

Oliver appeared at Waverley Local Court in Sydney and pleaded not guilty to charges of recklessly causing grievous bodily harm and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Police claim the 22-year-old punched Stannard, who fell to the floor and hit his head on the pavement, after having a conversation with the Australian player.

Oliver is also accused of fleeing the scene before he was restrained by Stannard's team-mates.

The case is due to return to court on June 6.

The Briton is expected to call six witnesses in his defence, while police will rely on closed circuit television footage and others who saw the incident.

The 35-year-old Stannard was out with team-mates following a farewell dinner for coach Andy Friend, who officially left his role after the conclusion of Gold Coast 2018.

Field stressed the team were not involved in any wrongdoing, despite the incident occurring in the early hours of the morning in a notorious area of Sydney.

Stannard claimed he felt "lucky to be alive" after the assault but insisted he harboured no ill feelings towards his alleged attacker.

The assault caused him to miss the entire Commonwealth Games, where the Australian team finished fifth.

The hosts failed to progress to the semi-finals but beat Kenya and Scotland to claim fifth place at the Robina Stadium.