KEANE TO GET FOUR-GAME BAN

MANCHESTER UNITED captain Roy Keane is poised to miss the start of next season as he is set to be handed a four-match ban following his second sending-off of the season in Saturday's Manchester derby.

The Republic of Ireland international was shown a straight red card for his X-rated challenge on Manchester City's Alf-Inge Haaland by referee David Elleray which will mean an automatic three game ban for violent conduct.

Following his dismissal in the Charity Shield at the start of the season Keane will be handed an extra game suspension ruling him out of the start of the champions defence of their title next season.

We have not seen the referee's report yet," said an FA spokesman. "However, assuming Roy Keane was sent off for violent conduct, it will constitute the mandatory suspension."

The sending-off was Keane's eighth in his eight year career at Old Trafford and his fourth from Harrow official Elleray.