Red card: Davies banned from Wales squad

NO GO: Craig Davies has been banned from international duty as punishment for his red card in the Carling Cup.

WALES striker Craig Davies has been banned from going on international duty by Athletic.

Davies was due to link up with the Welsh squad for next week’s game against Georgia, but high-ranking officials at Boundary Park have punished him for his red card at Rochdale on Tuesday night.

The 22-year-old is already serving a three-match domestic suspension, which starts at Leeds tomorrow, and will have his wages docked by Athletic.

But he is also being forced to remain with his club after being sent off for violent conduct — an apparent head-butt — in the Carling Cup tie at Spotland.

Davies was given the news yesterday by manager John Sheridan, who labelled his behaviour “idiotic” in the wake of Tuesday’s match.

There were consultations with the Welsh FA, and chief executive Alan Hardy insists Athletic are not jeopardising the player’s international future.

Davies — whose dismissal was the first of his club career — also missed two Wales matches during the summer when he was unable to find his passport.

Ironically, Athletic defender Neal Eardley has been promoted from the under-21s into John Toshack’s full squad. He replaces Nottingham Forest’s Arron Davies, who is injured, for the friendly against Georgia in Swansea.

With Davies ruled out, Athletic are likely to choose between Chris O’Grady and Lewis Alessandra for a central striking position at Leeds tomorrow.

Lee Hughes will play after recovering from his fitness problems, while full-back Kelvin Lomax (dead leg) and midfield man Kevin Maher (ribs) are expected to be available.

Athletic are the first visitors to Elland Road this season, but manager Sheridan said: “Although we respect them, we’ve got nothing to fear.

“Leeds are a Premier League club with Premier League crowds of about 30,000, but all my players should be looking forward to going there and performing.”

ATHLETIC (from): Crossley, Eardley, Hazell, Gregan, Taylor, Lomax, Smalley, Liddell, Allott, Whitaker, Maher, O’Grady, Hughes, Alessandra, Stam, Stephens, Fleming.

LEEDS (from): Ankergren, Richardson, Huntington, Marques, Sheehan, Snodgrass, Prutton, Howson, Robinson, Showunmi, Beckford, Telfer, Douglas, Becchio, Hughes, Johnson, Delph, Lucas.

Athletic’s Carling Cup second-round tie at Burnley will take place on Tuesday, August 26.




A GROUP of Latics fans will make the 36-mile walk to Leeds to raise money for the family of Ernie Cooksey. They will leave the White Hart, Royton, at 6.30 tonight.