Ryan Tandy faces court on detaining charge

Disgraced rugby league player Ryan Tandy will stay behind bars over the weekend after being accused in court of detaining a man against his will over a drug debt.

The 32-year-old, from Saratoga, was arrested in Terrigal on the NSW Central Coast on Thursday and faced Gosford Local Court on Friday after being held in custody overnight.

The former Bulldogs prop was charged with detaining a person with intent to obtain advantage.

He is accused of acting with two others to detain a man over a drug debt of tens of thousands of dollars.

But Tandy's lawyer Manny Conditsis said the alleged victim had always been free to leave.

"Mr Tandy strongly protests his innocence, he has not done anything remotely wrong," he told reporters outside court.

The hearing was adjourned until Monday, January 20, and bail was refused.

Tandy was banned from playing professional rugby league after being embroiled in a betting scandal during the 2010 season.