Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar has been arrested by police after allegely hitting a woman in Liverpool.

The 26-year-old South Africa international has since be released on bail.

Pienaar went to a police station voluntarily on Sunday morning and was arrested after officers were called to investigate an incident at a flat in the Sefton Park area of Liverpool.

"Merseyside Police can confirm that a 26-year-old man from the Mossley Hill area, has been arrested on suspicion of assault," a police spokeswoman said. "The man has been released on police bail pending further enquiries."

Pienaar must report back to a Merseyside police station at a later date.

The former Ajax player is currently sidelined by a broken toe, was part of the South African squad in the 2002 World Cup and played for the country at the 2008 African Cup of Nations in Ghana.

In April his move to Everton was made permanent after he played for the club while on loan from Borussia Dortmund and he is currently on a three-year deal until 2011.