Gillespie charged by FA

Sheffield United winger Keith Gillespie has been charged with violent conduct by the Football Association.

The incident is in relation to a second confrontation with Reading midfielder Stephen Hunt during United's 3-1 defeat at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday. Gillespie had already been dismissed moments earlier by referee Mark Halsey for elbowing Hunt just 12 seconds after his arrival as a substitute.

As the former Northern Ireland winger made his way off the pitch, he then appeared to hit Hunt in the face. Under the FA's fast-track system, Gillespie has until Wednesday to respond to the charge, with a hearing scheduled for next Tuesday.

Gillespie already faces a three-match suspension for the initial incident, and misses matches at home to Fulham next Tuesday, at Blackburn on February 3 and the game with Spurs at Bramall Lane a week later.

The 31-year-old could yet be handed an extra three-game ban if he is found guilty by the FA's disciplinary panel.

The incident is referred to as 'outside jurisdiction' and as Halsey had already handled the initial matter, he was unable to effectively dismiss Gillespie for a second time. It means the FA can hand Gillespie whatever punishment they see fit.

English football's governing body are still considering other matters from the same game involving the touchline row between Blades manager Neil Warnock and Royals coach Wally Downes.