Sports Direct International, the embattled sports retailer controlled by Mike Ashley, today predicted an "increasingly difficult" retail trading environment over the next six months.

But the controversial company, which has has experienced a dismal 11 months as a public company, stopped short of issuing a fresh warning over current-year results.

In a trading update, the group said that sales reached £280 million for the 11 weeks to January 13, with gross profit hitting £126 million.

It said that, despite worsening trading conditions on the high street, it remained confident of beating recent market forecasts for full-year underlying earnings.

Sports Direct said its view was unchanged on its expectation to exceed the market consensus of earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (ebitda) of £137.7 million, announced at its interim results last month.

Dave Forsey, chief executive, said: "We expect the retail trading environment in the UK to become increasingly difficult over the next six months.

"However the resilience of our business gives us the confidence to repeat the guidance on full-year performance that we gave on December 19."

Shares in the company have plunged since it floated in February last year after a series of profit warnings, corporate governance failings and a deteriorating relationship with the City.

Mr Ashley, who bought Newcastle United football club from the flotation proceeds, has recently sought to improve relations, both with the City and the media.

Shares of Sports Direct fell by 0.75p to 97.5p when the market opened, down from 300p at flotation.

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