Guthrie May Face Extra Ban for Leg-breaking Tackle

Newcastle United's Danny Guthrie may have his ban extended by the Football Association for the tackle that left the Hull City striker Craig Fagan with a broken leg and facing more than three months on the sidelines.

Phil Brown, the Hull manager, has condemned the tackle and hopes the FA will explore ways of imposing further sanctions on Guthrie, arguing that there should be a deterrent against such recklessness. "I think a red card and a three-game ban is insufficient," he said. "He has put a fellow player into a cast for a minimum of six weeks and possibly three months."

The FA confirmed that it was examining whether an extension to Guthrie's automatic three-game ban was appropriate. "We are looking at the incident," said a spokesman, "and have the right to alter the suspension if necessary."

Guthrie was sent off in the 90th minute after running several yards to first kick out at and then scythe Fagan down as he shielded the ball by the touchline. At no point did the 21-year-old look as if he was attempting to win possession. Although Fagan got to his feet after the second lunge during Hull's 2-1 win at St James' Park on Saturday, x-rays later revealed a fractured right tibia.

Guthrie apologized to the striker last night, claiming the challenge was "totally out of character" and born of "frustration", but Brown remains unimpressed. "It was a direct result of a reckless and callous challenge from a player obviously affected by the situation that's going on at Newcastle and decided to take the law into his own hands," he said.