West Bromwich Albion defender Liam Ridgewell has apologised after a photo was released showing the player wiping his backside with money.

In the photo, the 28-year-old is seen squatting over a toilet with hundreds of £20 notes scattered along the floor but the former Birmingham City defender has insisted that it was meant to stay private.

"The photo was taken in the privacy of my home around eight months ago as a joke to wind up a mate, who I had just won a personal bet with," Ridgewell told The Sun.

"I only intended him to see the photo but now it's public, I can understand how it will be viewed. I am sorry for any offence it causes."

Reports have claimed that the photo was sent to the newspaper by an angry Baggies supporter.