FOOTBALL SHORTS

WEST HAM face an FA charge of failing to control their players after Mark Noble’s dismissal at Liverpool. Referee Kevin Friend was surrounded by Noble’s team-mates after he was sent off for a foul. His red card was rescinded but it is FA policy to treat the two incidents separately. The club have until 6pm on Monday to respond.

EVERTON midfielder Tom Cleverley damaged ligaments but did not break an ankle as initially feared after a tackle by Eric Dier at Tottenham. It is not yet known how long he will be out.

STOKE’S Ibrahim Afellay’s three-match ban for being sent off against West Brom has been reduced to two games on appeal. The midfielder was redcarded for flicking a hand at Craig Gardner after being fouled by the Albion player.

FORMER England left back Ashley Cole, 34, could be on the way out at Roma after being omitted from the club’s Champions League squad.

SOUTHAMPTON are to offer Victor Wanyama a five-year contract extension but the Kenya midfielder is likely to refuse after the club blocked his move to Tottenham.

LIVERPOOL striker Christian Benteke has pulled out of Belgium’s squad for tonight’s Euro 2016 qualifier against Bosnia with a thigh injury but could be fit for Sunday’s game in Cyprus.