Premiership: Hayles sweating on FA judgement

Fulham striker Barry Hayles today pleaded with the Football Association not to hit him with the six-match ban which could rob him of an FA Cup final appearance.

The Londoners’ 11-goal top-scorer pulls on the Cottagers jersey at Newcastle tonight, but a double violent conduct charge - part one of which will be heard tomorrow - might mean his St James’ Park appearance is his last of the season.

FA disciplinary chiefs meet in the capital tomorrow afternoon, when a guilty verdict on his November 3 bust-up with West Ham’s Hayden Foxe - who will also answer charges over the incident tomorrow could land Hayles with a three-match ban.

A date has yet to be set for the decision on Hayles’ kick at Everton skipper David Weir - but if that hearing is before the May 4 FA Cup final and Hayles is found guilty and given another ban, he could face suspension heartbreak.

Hayles said: ‘‘I just want to play as much as possible and score some goals to help us stay up and get through to the final.

‘‘I’ve got a date for one of the hearings - the one about West Ham and Hayden Foxe, which is tomorrow. After that, I’ll know one of the hearings is out of the way and then I’ll concentrate on the other one.’’

Fulham take on Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final at Villa Park on Sunday, so victory over their west London rivals would secure a place in the Millennium Stadium and leave Hayles sweating on the FA’s verdict.

The governing body have offered Mohamed Al Fayed’s club a range of dates before May 11 for the second hearing, but no concrete time and place have as yet been confirmed.

If Hayles is found guilty on either charge, Fulham could delay his ban by appealing - but the carpenter-turned-footballer confirmed his worst-case scenario is missing the cup final.

Hayles will not personally attend tomorrow’s hearing, but will be represented by Cottagers officials. The FA will announce their verdict on Wednesday lunchtime, after informing Hayles of their decision.