Kazenga LuaLua has been banned for a total of six matches after losing the plot in Albion's Football League Trophy tie against AFC Wimbledon.

The winger was sent-off in the closing stages of the 2-1 win earlier this month for gesturing to the crowd.

His two-match suspension for the offence applies only to that competition but LuaLua has now received a further four-game ban from the FA for his behaviour both after he was dismissed and in the tunnel after the game.

 

The ban starts immediately, ruling him out of the first team games at Birmingham on Saturday, at home to QPR and Cardiff over Christmas, and at Fulham in the New Year.

An FA statement said: "Kazenga LuaLua will serve a four-match suspension with immediate effect after he admitted two breaches of FA rule E3.

"The player was charged after he used threatening language and/or behaviour towards a match official following his 88th minute dismissal.

"Furthermore, his language and/or behaviour in the tunnel area after the match was abusive and/or insulting and/or improper."

LuaLua has also been fined £8,000 by the FA's independent regulatory commission.

The former Newcastle wide man's punishment wrecks his hopes of forcing his way back into first team contention after knee surgery.

LuaLua appeared in the matchday squad for the first time since August at Blackburn on Tuesday, with Jamie Murphy rested due to calf discomfort.