Smith banned for two games

Newcastle’s Alan Smith has been handed a two-match ban by the Football Association following his sending off at Manchester United on Saturday.

Smith was shown red in the closing seconds at Old Trafford as his former club completed a 6-0 rout over the managerless Magpies.

Smith will now miss the FA Cup third round replay against Stoke on Wednesday and the Barclays Premier League clash with Bolton.

Another former Red Devils midfielder, Nicky Butt, is also out of the club’s next two fixtures after he was cautioned for the 10th time this season in the first match against the Potters.