Williamson to face tackle probe

Newcastle defender Mike Williamson has come under scrutiny for his challenge on Bolton’s Johan Elmander in his side’s 5-1 loss on Saturday.

The Football Association will study the off-the-ball incident after video replays showed Williamson making contact with Elmander, although referee Howard Webb and the touchline judge failed to spot the incident and no foul was paid.

Should Williamson be suspended, United will be missing both their starting centre-backs for their clash against Chelsea in the English Premier League on Saturday.

Fabricio Coloccini was handed a straight red card in the heavy loss at the Reebok Stadium, coincidentally for elbowing Elmander.

An FA spokesperson confirmed Williamson’s contact with Bolton’s leading goalscorer this season would be analysed.

“We will be looking at the footage and establishing firstly if the referee saw it and secondly, if he didn’t, whether he would have shown a red card if he had,” the spokesperson confirmed.