Kangaroos fullback Billy Slater has been involved in a nightclub scuffle in Manchester, but local police say he had acted in self-defence and he has been released without charge.

The Melbourne Storm veteran was detained by police in the early hours of Monday in the northern England city, but was released by Greater Manchester Police after questioning and CCTV footage was reviewed.

Australian team management put out a statement saying Slater had returned to the nightclub to collect his jacket when he was attacked.

“Australian Rugby League team management can confirm player Billy Slater was detained by police this morning and has been released without charge,” said the statement.

“After reviewing CCTV footage of a scuffle outside a Manchester nightclub, police have determined that Slater was the victim who then acted in self-defence and has informed him of his right to press charges.

“Billy was returning to the venue to collect his jacket that he left behind, when he was attacked.

“Both men were detained for several hours while police reviewed footage of the incident.”

The Australian squad had travelled to Manchester after beating Ireland 50-0 in their final pool match at the Rugby League World Cup in Limerick on Saturday.

The Kangaroos face the United States in a quarter-final at Old Trafford in Wrexham on Saturday.