A WOMAN who accused Blackburn Rovers’ new striker David Goodwillie of rape may now sue the player for damages.

Rovers’ £2.8million summer signing was accused of sexually assaulting a woman at a house party in Scotland in January, while he was still a Dundee United player.

All legal charges against the Scottish international, 22, were dropped last month.

He was arrested by police after a 24-year-old woman said she was raped during the party, in Armadale, West Lothian, on January 2.

The forward was charged on January 17 but, six months later, on July 25, the Crown Office said there was “insufficient evidence in law”, dropped the charge and closed the case.

But the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is now considering civil action against Goodwillie and another player, David Robertson, alleging she was incapable of giving consent to having sex with the pair after meeting them on a night out.

Robertson, 24, who played alongside Goodwillie at Dundee United, was never charged.

Cameron Fyfe, from the legal firm Drummond Miller, said he was preparing a civil case.

He said: “I am aiming to build a case for damages. It is early days.

"I am required to build up a case and hope to get information and documents from the police and Crown Office to do that, specifically evidence from witnesses.

“We’ll also be considering extensive forensic tests on the alleged victim’s clothing.

"We’ll allege she was incapable of giving consent for sex, either through the intake of drink or drugs and, in law, that is rape.

“My client is hugely disappointed the case was not pursued through the criminal justice system.

"However, in a civil action, the pursuer has to prove their case on the balance of probabilities, rather than beyond reasonable doubt.

“I am applying for Legal Aid to pursue both players.

"If this is not available, we will try and obtain legal insurance cover to pay legal costs.

“An action such as this can cost in the region of £100,000.”

Goodwillie’s legal team told the Lancashire Telegraph it was not aware of any civil action.

A spokesman said: “The Scottish press responsibly pointed out that the prosecutor properly investigated the full and detailed background of this matter before directing that no prosecution should take place.

“Furthermore, no letter, email, or formal intimation, of any legal action regarding this issue has been received by Mr Goodwillie, nor his lawyers.”

A Blackburn Rovers spokesman said the club was aware of the matter, but would not be commenting at this stage.

Goodwillie scored on his debut for Rovers in a 4-1 friendly win over Kilmarnock on Saturday.

He has been recalled to the Scotland squad for tomorrow night’s friendly against Denmark, at Hampden Park.