Chris Sutton admits he spent the eve of his transfer to Blackburn Rovers in a jail cell.

Kenny Dalglish signed Sutton from Norwich for £5m in 1994 but the striker says in his new book, Paradise and Beyond, that a leaving night with his Canaries team-mates almost jeopardised everything.

"I had a going-away party the night before I was due to go," said Sutton.

"A lot of alcohol was consumed and things got a bit out of hand. Going from one pub to another, I jumped right inside a convertible car headfirst. I caused a little bit of damage to the indicator by bending the lever.

"The owner of the car, who wasn't in it at the time, must have reported me to the police.

"I was oblivious as I stood at the bar enjoying myself. Then I got a tip-off that the police were coming, so I nipped out the fire exit and into a taxi to make a quick getaway.

"The next thing I knew, the taxi was being followed by three cop cars. We were surrounded. You'd have thought I'd killed someone.

"I was taken into the back of a police car before being put in a cell at the station. I wasn't formally arrested but I was cautioned.

"I was concerned Blackburn might pull out of the deal, not wanting to sign someone who was drunk and disorderly.

"The following day should have been one of the best of my life but I was hungover, anxious and tired.

"I was terrified about Kenny's reaction but he just laughed it off thankfully."