Arsenal’s Alexander Hleb has been charged with violent conduct by the FA. Officials examined video evidence of the incident involving Hleb and Reading’s Graeme Murty and the match referee, Peter Walton, has apparently indicated that he would have dismissed Hleb had he seen the slapping administered to the Reading skipper.

Hleb now faces a 3-match ban that will rule him out of the rest of the season. Arsenal could appeal the decision but they would be fighting a losing battle, so it looks unlikely. This will leave a big hole in Wenger’s side for the remaining games.

Hleb is a key component of the Gunners lineup and his absence is certain to restrict their attacking output - maybe even against a Derby defence next. On the plus side, Wenger may now think twice about resting players, so Adebayor and Van Persie seem likely to remain in the side, as does Walcott. When it comes to a straight replacement, Denilson could now get an opportunity to fill a midfield berth.

With Thursday FPL deadline looming, here’s a quick run through of the injury news that’s doing the rounds so far today, plus some confirmed news on Lampard.

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Amongst the drama of Arsenal’s comeback yesterday, Cesc Fabregas picked up his ninth booking of the season. That leaves him just one caution away from a two-match ban. In order to avoid that, Fabregas must get through next weekend’s game with Liverpool and the visit to Old Trafford a week after, without a yellow. The suspension curfew for ten bookings passes on the second Sunday in April, the day that Wenger takes his side to take on United.

Fabregas owners will be twitchy then. Admittedly, his stock has fallen with the rise of Gerrard and Lampard in recent weeks. However, the Arsenal man has steadily contributed assists with another pair in yesterday’s game. He’s also regained his position as FPL bonus darling - he has scored bonus in his last three matches having suffered a lean spell during Flamini and Hleb’s run of form. The temptation is to get rid but there’s no doubt that Fabregas is showing a glimmer of his early season form and even though his fixtures look tough - he has a proven record of producing the goods in big games. Tough one.

Steve Bruce has announced his intention to contest the red card awarded to Jason Koumas in today’s game against Bolton. Koumas saw red after just 4-minutes for a tackle on Bolton’s Cahill and will now face a three-match ban. However, today’s referee, Steve Tanner, has already agreed to view footage of the challenge as Wigan seek to get it overturned.

That’s significant for fantasy managers because the absence of Koumas could bring Ryan Taylor back into the lineup. Should Taylor get the nod over Kilbane he would be a very decent proposition. He is classed as a defender, and a cheap one at that, but is employed on the left of midfield by Bruce. He will hog Wigan’s set-pieces and with the side on a run of 5 clean sheets in 6, he would represent excellent value.

Any appeal by Wigan would jeopardise the chances of Taylor regaining his place however, so we await news on that one.

Frank Lampard’s red card for his kick and shove combo on West Ham’s Boa Morte has been rescinded by the FA [source]. After viewing video evidence earlier today, the “Football Association regulatory commission” deemed that the Chelsea midfielder did not deserve the dismissal and subsequently, Lampard will not serve a 3-match ban and will be available for the FA Cup tie with Barnsley and the Premiership games with Derby and Sunderland.

That will come as bad news for early investors in Ballack who will now struggle to work his way into Grant’s lineup for Chelsea’s forthcoming double gameweek against Sunderland and Spurs. Lampard meanwhile, looks a good bet for a decent haul of points over the next few games and has replaced Ballack in the players rankings as a result.

We’ll know tomorrow whether Frank Lampard’s red card earned against West Ham at the weekend, will stand and leave the midfield with a 3-match ban.

Chelsea have confirmed that an appeal for wrongful dismissal has been lodged and that the FA will meet tomorrow to decide whether to uphold the card and ban. Lampard is set to miss three matches if that is the case, including the FA Cup tie with Barnsley and the potentially big scoring games Premiership fixtures against Derby and Sunderland.

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The Suspension Tightrope in the right-hand menu has now been updated with Friday’s curfew in mind.

Just a reminder how this works - Friday February 29 is the curfew for five bookings. At this point those players sitting on four bookings avoid the threat of suspension - so you can select players on four bookings - Adebayor, Vidic, Terry, Lampard etc - without any risk of immediate bans. The next target for players to avoid is ten bookings and the curfew for that total is April 13. Any player registering ten booking before then will face a two-match ban.

At this point, the only players that remain on the tightrope with four bookings are those Everton and City players due to play on Monday - as you can see by the table, there’s quite a few of them with Pienaar and Richards the most significant. As for players nearing that total of ten bookings - Fabregas and Nolan on eight bookings will need monitoring, while Carvalho and Jenas moved on to seven in today’s Carling Cup Final.

Just a quick post to acknowledge an error in last night’s Scout Notes - United’s Evra is NOT suspended for this weekend’s game at Spurs. Evra did pick up his fifth booking against Spurs last Sunday in the FA Cup, however, because of the 7-day rule, he’s available for Saturday’s game.

Evra will miss the Manchester Derby match a week on Sunday.

Apologies for the error - I’ve had some harsh words with myself.

While on the subject of the “Suspension Tightrope” - we might well see those players currently on the edge of a one match ban due to five yellows, look to “strategically” pick up a yellow card over the next couple of matches.

The FA Cup third round falls on the weekend of January 5 and any player picking up a fifth booking either tomorrow or on this weekend in the Premiership, will sit out their respective tie if it falls seven days later. Bearing in mind that many Premiership sides are likely to field a good few second string players for their FA Cup ties, I just wonder if we’ll see some strategic thinking taking place with regards to bans.

The likes of Carragher, Lampard, Carvalho, Essien and Evra are all currently sitting on four bookings. It will be interesting to see how many of those manage to pick up a fifth booking by the end of the weekend.

Liverpool face Wigan at Anfield a week on Sunday, while United travel to Villa for their tie on the Saturday. Hardly gimme’s. However, As Gobbi pointed out in an earlier post, Chelsea face QPR a week on Sunday, a game which they may feel they can win without Lampard, Essien and Carvalho in order to reduce the risk of them missing a crucial Premiership game.

Such cynicism at Christmas can’t be good.

Ashley Cole could well face disciplinary action for allegedly sticking two fingers up to his former supporters in the game against Arsenal on Sunday.

Photographs appear to show Chelsea defender Cole making the gesture during Sunday’s game and an FA spokesman confirmed today that referee Alan Wiley had not included the incident in his post match report. However, the FA are set to review video and photographic evidence and come to a decision in the next 24-hours.

Cole could well face a suspension if found guilty although an improper conduct charge is more likely. Joey Barton was found guilty of a similar incident when he dropped his shorts against Everton in September last year. He admitted the charge and was fined a whopping £2000.

Michael Essien’s red card received in the victory at Derby at the weekend will stand after today’s appeal to the FA failed. Essien will now miss three Premiership games starting with the clash with West Ham at the weekend. He’ll also miss the games against Sunderland and the key tussle with Arsenal. Sidwell and Makelele seem likely to benefit in his absence.

I’ve added the “Suspension Tightrope” to the “Technical Area” in the right menu. This table lists those players who are on the brink of a suspension as a result of being awarded 5 yellow cards before the end of February. It also lists those who are working their way towards the next target of 10 yellow cards. Any player earning this target by the second Sunday in April (April 13th) will get a 2-match ban. There’s also an additional ban for 15 yellows before the end of the season, but then you shouldn’t need to worry about that unless you have Nigel Reo-Coker in your team. So much for new club, new leaf eh Nigel?

It’s worth keeping an eye on this with this week’s Carling Cup ties in mind. Bookings received in the competition, along with the FA Cup, are added to the Premiership bookings.

Christiano Ronaldo faces a 3-match ban following his red card in tonights game against Portmouth at Fratton Park. Ronaldo was dismissed after an apparent headbutt on Portsmouth’s Richard Hughes as United were held 1-1.

The straight red for violent conduct will mean an instant 3-match ban for the United man which will see him miss the local derby against City at the weekend plus the home matches against Tottenham and Sunderland.

So, having faced the problem of replacing Rooney following his injury, Fantasy Managers must now look to find a replacement for Ronaldo. Such is his price tag, it would be a brave decision to hold onto the United man until he see’s out his ban. Possible replacements will include the usual suspects of Gerrard and Lampard, who have both found the net this sesaon. Alternatively Fabregas and Arteta are worthy options. The Everton man in particular has started the season in sparkling form.

I’ve started a new poll for those unlucky enough to be facing this new dilemma and let’s face it, that’s quite a few us.

Middlesbrough’s Fabio Rochemback has had a 3-match ban confirmed following his red card against Hertha Berlin last week. Middlesbrough had appealed against the sending off but it has been upheld and Rochemback will now miss the home game against Blackburn, followed by the away games at Wigan and Fulham. Julio Arca or Lee Cattermole are likely to benefit from Rochemback’s absence.