Kenny banned for start of season

BIRMINGHAM captain Kenny Cunningham will miss the first two games of the 2004/05 Premiership season following his sending off in Saturday’s 3-0 defeat by Liverpool.

Cunningham had originally been expected to miss one match after being sent off by referee Steve Dunn following a challenge on Steven Gerrard.

But the FA confirmed yesterday Cunningham's red card total for the season is now officially counted as two because of his sending-off against Newcastle in the Asia Cup tournament back in July.