Lee Bowyer faces a double misconduct hearing just four days before Sven-Goran Eriksson picks his next England squad. It seems increasingly likely that Bowyer, along with Leeds team-mate Jonathan Woodgate and Chelsea's John Terry, will be left out of the squad to face Holland in a friendly in Amsterdam. The hearing on both disciplinary charges is scheduled to take place on 5 February.
Senior FA officials will discuss the trio's international availability with Eriksson when he returns from holiday next week. No final decisions have yet been taken, and Eriksson retains the final say in such matters.
Bowyer is technically available to Eriksson because his international ban came to an end after he was cleared of charges of grievous bodily harm and affray at his court case. Reports indicate that it will be stressed that Bowyer's selection could be met with disapproval from the public as well as from within the governing body.
The FA must also decide whether to introduce a blanket ban on any player charged with a criminal offence being selected for the international team. Such a move would clearly remove any room for discretion.
Filed by Greg McKevitt
