Bowyer hit with longer ban

Newcastle midfielder Lee Bowyer has been banned for a further three games.

Newcastle United midfielder Lee Bowyer has been suspended for a further three games by The Football Association following his brawl with team-mate Kieron Dyer.

Bowyer and Dyer had their tawdry bust-up at the start of this month as The Magpies slipped to a 3-0 defeat at home to Aston Villa.

Referee Barry Knight sent off Bowyer and Dyer, with the former Leeds United midfielder copping an initial four-game ban for his indiscretion as it was his second red card of the season.

But at an FA disciplinary hearing on Friday, Bowyer was punished with an additional three-match suspension and a £30,000 fine.

The 28-year-old will now only be available for the final two games of the Premiership season following the extension of his ban.

Bowyer's original suspension was due to conclude after Sunday's trip to Manchester United but he will now miss games with Middlesbrough, Crystal Palace and Fulham.

He will be able to return for the closing fixtures against Everton and Chelsea when he will look to convince manager Graeme Souness that he deserves a future at St James' Park.

Upon leaving Soho Square after the FA hearing, Bowyer admits he had no qualms with his punishment, saying: "I think I got a fair hearing.

"I just want to concentrate on getting back playing football. I just love playing football and that's what I want to do."

Meanwhile, Newcastle captain Alan Shearer insists the squad must not wallow in self-pity ahead of Sunday's trip to Old Trafford.

The Magpies were thrashed 4-1 by The Red Devils in the FA Cup semi-finals last weekend and that came just days after the club were dumped out of the Uefa Cup by Sporting Lisbon.

Shearer is eager for a positive response this weekend but accepts it will be another tough test for The Magpies.

"It's been a tough week, it really has," Shearer told Sky Sports News. "But as I keep saying, you don't get anything for feeling sorry for yourselves. You've got to stand up and be counted.

"We are struggling at the moment but the only way to get through that is by hard work and certainly working hard on the training ground.

"They've got some big players so it'll be tough for us."