Halsey to make swift Premier League return

MARK HALSEY will be returned to Premier League duty ‘‘before the end of the month’’.

Halsey has been at the centre of a red-card storm this week, with Alex Ferguson livid that John Terry’s dismissal at Manchester City last Saturday has been overturned by the FA’s disciplinary panel, leaving the Chelsea captain free to face Manchester United on Sunday.

Ferguson claimed referees’ chief Keith Hackett was personally responsible for the move to overlook the reasons Halsey gave for his decision at Eastlands. “Hackett told Halsey to rescind the red card but he would not do it,” fumed Ferguson. “If it had been a Manchester United player Hackett would not have done this.”

The fact Halsey will find himself taking charge of the League Two clash between Chester and Shrewsbury this Saturday smacks of demotion, even though the Professional Game Match Officials Board (PGMO) have strenuously denied any involvement.

Hackett has also refused to get embroiled in the row, which the FA are now investigating to see if Ferguson should be brought to account.

However, a source close to the case has insisted Halsey is not suffering any ‘punishment’ and will almost certainly take charge of a Premier League game before the end of the month.

“There is nothing sinister behind the fact Mark is in charge of one of these games on Saturday. There is no problem with him and he will be back on Premier League duty pretty soon, said the source.”