Football briefs: Andy Wilkinson banned for violent conduct

Published on 21/09/2012 02:18

Stoke City defender Andy Wilkinson has been banned for three matches after accepting a charge of violent conduct during a Premier League game against Manchester City.

Wilkinson was involved in an incident with City striker Mario Balotelli during Saturday’s match which was missed by the referee. The Football Association took retrospective action against Wilkinson after reviewing video evidence.

Ba release clause puts future in doubt

Demba Ba’s future at Newcastle has been thrown into doubt with manager Alan Pardew admitting the release clause which might have triggered his departure during the summer will become active again in January. The Magpies have been unable agree a new deal with the 27-year-old Senegal international which would not include a similar clause, with the Ba camp looking for a significant increase in his weekly wage of around £50,000.

Wednesday in dock over coin throwing

Sheffield Wednesday face FA disciplinary action following several incidents of coin throwing during the midweek home defeat by Huddersfield. Referee Graham Salisbury and assistants Barry Gordon and Keith Lawson handed coins to the police, which had been thrown from where the home fans were housed in the North Stand at Hillsborough, where the Owls lost 3-1.

Wilshere in training after ‘an eternity’

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admits it seemed like Jack Wilshere had spent “an eternity” on the sidelines. The England midfielder did not feature at all last season because of a niggling ankle problem which also ruled him out of Euro 2012. However, the 20-year-old has stepped up his rehabilitation, and returned to training with Arsenal’s first-team squad yesterday.

Earnshaw goes on loan to Tel Aviv

Cardiff striker Robert Earnshaw has completed a season-long loan move to Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Earnshaw played 20 league games for the Bluebirds last season but has not featured for his boyhood club in the 2012/13 campaign. The 31-year-old former West Brom, Norwich, Derby and Nottingham Forest player has agreed terms with Maccabi and is set to link up with his new team who are currently third in the league.