The rugby league player denied the allegations against him and said he never had harmed, and never would harm, his American girlfriend, Katie Milligan.

A magistrate refused to vary an apprehended violence order against Bird yesterday, which prevents the 24-year-old from contacting Ms Milligan, who police said had suffered a fractured eye socket and required surgery for glass wounds after an incident at Bird's Cronulla apartment early on August 24.

The Cronulla Sharks suspended their five-eighth after he was charged with maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm, but police said yesterday that charge would probably be downgraded to one of reckless wounding.

That development follows the laying of two other charges public mischief and false accusation stemming from Bird's alleged attempt to get flatmate Brent Watson to take the blame for the glassing incident.

Downing Centre Local Court Magistrate Graeme Henson rejected an application from Bird yesterday to vary the violence order to allow him to contact Ms Milligan.

''It is not an appropriate case. I decline to entertain the application,'' he said.

Bird said outside court, ''I strongly deny the allegations that have been made against me: I love my girlfriend.

''I never hurt her, and never would I ever hurt her.''

After failing to have the order revoked earlier this month, Ms Milligan, 24, said she was 100 per cent behind Bird.

The Sharks released a statement late yesterday confirming that Bird's ban would stay and the club would continue to monitor the court proceedings. ''The club accepts that it remains a difficult time for all parties and stresses that we will need some time to consider the best way forward for everybody concerned.''

Sharks chief executive Tony Zappia said yesterday's hearing gave the club more to consider when it weighed up Bird's future.