Four men accused of stabbing a promising young footballer to death will not stand trial until January next year.

Godwin Lawson, 17, was attacked along with two friends in Amhurst Park, Hackney, East London.

The teenager, who attended the Oxford United Football and Education Academy, was stabbed at around 1.50am on March 27 this year.

Moise Avorgah, 19, Daniel Riley, 21, Koffi Osimeh, 19, and Matthew Lanihun, 20, are charged with his murder.

They are also accused of the attempted murder of Godwin's two friends, aged 18 and 20, during the same incident.

All four appeared at the Old Bailey by video link from prison for a plea and case management hearing.

They did not enter pleas to the charges and will return to court on September 16.

Judge Richard Hone QC set the trial for January 4, 2011.

Avorgah, of St Ann's Road, Tottenham, north London, Riley, of Caledonian Road, Holloway, north London; Lanihun, of Megan Court, Holloway; and Osimeh, of Heron Drive, Finsbury Park, were all remanded in custody.