Bowyer set for further rap by FA and Souness

DISGRACED Newcastle midfielder Lee Bowyer looks likely to face further punishment in the wake of his on-pitch brawl with team-mate Kieron Dyer.

Bowyer has issued profuse apologies to Dyer and all concerned with the Magpies after his fight with Dyer overshadowed Saturday’s 3-0 St James’ Park defeat to Aston Villa and resulted in both players being sent off by referee Barry Knight.

But that did not stop Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd handing Bowyer a club record fine of six weeks’ wages - understood to be £200,000 (€292,000) - and a final written warning.

The FA yesterday charged Bowyer with violent conduct, with the 28-year-old already having to serve an immediate four-match suspension as it was his second dismissal this season in the Premiership.

Bowyer will miss this weekend’s league game at Spurs, followed by the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium, as well as further league games at Norwich and Old Trafford.

Bowyer has until April 20 to respond to the charge, with a disciplinary commission, who have the powers to further increase the punishment, to sit two days later.

But to add to his woes, it is likely fuming boss Graeme Souness will not pick the player for tomorrow night’s UEFA Cup quarter-final first-leg clash at home to Sporting Lisbon.

Dyer, who the club have supported, will play against the Portuguese giants.

That is despite the FA yesterday throwing out Newcastle’s appeal against his red card. The England international will serve a three-game ban, starting with Saturday’s trip to White Hart Lane and including the FA Cup semi-final.

Such news has come as a bitter blow to Souness, who had hoped Dyer would be cleared, allowing him to play in the FA Cup showdown against Alex Ferguson’s side.

Souness already has enough problems on his plate for the visit of Sporting, especially in defence.

Titus Bramble remains sidelined after a recent hernia operation, Jean-Alain Boumsong is cup tied, Celestine Babayaro only returned to training yesterday after ongoing knee problems, while Andy O’Brien is suffering a crisis of confidence.