Three Leicester City players accused of sexual assault at a Spanish hotel may be cleared after forensic tests proved negative.

Leicester City on Tuesday said the tests showed no link between striker Paul Dickov, defender Frank Sinclair and midfielder Keith Gillespie and three women who accused them of assault.

The players spent six nights in jail in southern Spain where they were training at a luxury hotel resort in March.

"It is just another step in the process of the players clearing their names," the club's chief executive Tim Davies said in a statement. "It is great news."

The players have vigorously denied the charges. Their lawyers were not immediately available for comment.

Gillespie said in an interview last month that he hoped DNA tests would clear them.

Leicester City were relegated from the premier league on May 1 after just six wins all season.

The club said on Monday it was releasing Sinclair and Gillespie can also move on a free transfer.

None of the lawyers involved in the case in Spain was available for immediate comment