Troubled former Essendon and St Kilda player Andrew Lovett has been charged with unlawful assault in Melbourne Magistrates' Court, as reported by the Herald Sun.

The case against Lovett was heard in court on Tuesday over an alleged incident in Thornbury on October 27.

It's the latest violent matter to be put against Lovett, who was jailed for eight months in 2022 in relation to physical and emotional abuse against an ex-girlfriend.

According to the Herald Sun, the former footballer did not appear in court this week and the details of the alleged assault were not aired.

Legal representation requested for the case to be moved to Heidelberg Magistrates' Court before the next hearing in July.

Lovett is being represented by Kurnai Legal Practice.

According to reports, in addition to his jail sentence in 2022 he was handed a requirement to undertake a one-year community correction order including alcohol, drug, and mental health treatment upon his release.

In 2018 Lovett was fined for the assault of a former partner in her own home.

His AFL career came to an end after he was charged with rape after landing at St Kilda following 88 games with the Bombers between 2005-2009.

He was later acquitted of the offence, but not before being sacked by the Saints.