Mario Balotelli will miss Wednesday’s Manchester derby after accepting the red card he was handed in Manchester City’s 2-0 victory at West Brom.
However, the former Inter Milan star, who scored both his team’s goals at The Hawthorns, has appealed against the three-game ban he has been subjected to.
Balotelli has endured a mixed time at Eastlands following his summer switch from Italy. The 20-year-old has scored three goals in two starts and two substitute appearances for City but also endured more than two months on the sidelines with a knee injury.
Can Manchester City finish in the Premier League’s top four this season? – Latest Football Betting
Stoke City manager Tony Pulis believes there should be a system of promotion and relegation for Premier League referees.
The Potters boss has been unhappy with a number of key decisions that have gone against his team recently, culminating in Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Sunderland when Lee Cattermole appeared to handle the ball on the line.
However, referee Martin Atkinson waved play on, to Pulis’ anguish, and Stoke’s day went from bad to worse in the closing stages when Ryan Shawcross was sent off for two bookable offences.
Veteran former Netherlands international midfielder Edgar Davids has left Crystal Palace by mutual consent.
The 37-year-old ex-Barcelona, Inter Milan, Tottenham and Ajax star joined up with the Eagles in August and made seven starts for George Burley’s team.
However, he struggled with life in the Championship and was not included in the squad for Palace’s 2-1 defeat at Middlesbrough on Saturday.
Aberdeen manager Mark McGhee looks set to continue in his role even after the humilating 9-0 defeat at Celtic.
It was the Dons’ biggest loss in their history and leaves them just two points above the foot of the table but McGhee has promised to battle on.
In rugby league, Crusaders have named Iestyn Harris as their new head coach following Brian Noble’s decision to end his one-year association with the club.
Harris had been working as the former Great Britain boss’ number two.
In rugby union, Keven Mealamu has been cited for an apparent head-butt during New Zealand’s 26-16 victory against England at Twickenham.
The hooker appeared to grab England captain Lewis Moody by his jersey and then dive forward, making contact with the back of the flanker’s head while he was on the ground.
If found guilty, Mealamu could miss the rest of the All Blacks’ European tour, including this weekend’s game against Scotland at Murrayfield.
