Shaun Wright-Phillips has been charged with violent conduct after the FA reviewed video footage of the clash with Stoke’s Rory Delap on Saturday. The City man clearly kicked out at Delap in reaction to the “challenge” from the Stoke ball slinger but the retribution was not seen by ref Martin Atkinson apparently.
According to the FA “Wright-Phillips has until 6pm on Thursday 5 February to admit or deny the charge. A Regulatory Commission will hear the case on Friday 6 February.”
It seems inevitable that he will face a three match ban and miss the double gameweek matches against Boro Portsmouth, plus the league game with Liverpool in just over a fortnight. His absence will likely see starts for Elano or Vassell this gameweek – new options then – albeit hardly a tempting ones.