Albion fear a bumper ban for Barnes (From The Argus)

Albion fear a bumper ban for Barnes

12:00pm Friday 15th March 2013 in Sport By Andy Naylor

ALBION are bracing themselves for the possibility of a bumper ban from the Football Association for Ashley Barnes.

The striker has already been suspended for a total of four matches for his second red card in the space of five weeks at Bolton Wanderers on Saturday.

Barnes, punished for trying to trip referee Nigel Miller, had until 6pm last night to give his written response to an additional charge for the serious nature of the offence.

The FA examined video evidence before deciding on the appropriate length of ban and the extra charge.

Barnes, who has no right to a personal hearing, will have been suspended for at least seven of 11 matches by the time Albion entertain promotion rivals Leicester City on April 6.

An additional punishment would affect his availability for the Leicester game and could also eat into the final five matches of the run-in for the Seagulls.