Bowyer banned for three games

Birmingham midfielder Lee Bowyer has been banned for three games for his stamp on Arsenal full-back Bacary Sagna on Saturday.

Bowyer accepted the charge of violent conduct and will now miss Tuesday’s English Premier League game with Blackpool, the FA Cup clash with Millwall on Saturday and the first leg of his side’s Carling Cup semi-final with West Ham on Tuesday.

The 34-year-old will be able to resume in time for the home game against fierce rivals Aston Villa on January 16.

Although he escaped any disciplinary action from match referee Peter Walton during the 3-0 defeat to Arsenal, Bowyer’s stamp was caught by television cameras and the former Leeds and Newcastle man accepted the Football Association’s ban.

“We accept the decision and will now have to move forward into the next three games without the services of Bowyer,” Birmingham boss Alex McLeish said.

“We have got a good discipline record at this club and stress to the players every week how important discipline is.”