Newcastle are hit with Butt blow

NEWCASTLE midfielder Nicky Butt will sit out the club’s next three European games after being banned by UEFA.

The 29-year-old was handed the maximum possible suspension this afternoon after being red-carded within two minutes of being introduced as a substitute during last week’s 2-0 UEFA Cup first-round victory over Israeli side Hapoel Bnei Sakhnin.

Butt was dismissed by Portuguese referee Antonio Costa after grabbing Sakhnin skipper Abas Suan by the throat at St James’ Park.

He will now miss the return leg in Tel Aviv next Thursday evening and will play no part in the first two matches in the group stage of the competition should Newcastle progress.

That will come as a blow to a player who picked up a Champions League winners’ medal with former club Manchester United in 1999, but also to Newcastle boss Graeme Souness, who has been hugely impressed with his club’s summer acquisition. Despite being disappointed with Butt’s red card Souness was delighted with his response last weekend at Southampton.