Middlesbrough defender Franck Queudrue seems certain to request a personal hearing after being charged with "violent behaviour'' over his part in the sending-off of Southampton striker Kevin Phillips at St. Mary's last month.

Phillips, who received an automatic three-match ban, was dismissed by referee Barry Knight after kicking out at Queudrue in the final minute of Boro's 1-0 victory.

But TV replays appeared to show that the Frenchman had provoked the former Sunderland star by treading on the back of his leg.

Orpington-based official Knight admitted in his report that he was "concerned'' he had missed the incident, and the FA's compliance office referred the matter to the video advisory panel, who recommended that a charge be levelled at Queudrue.

Boro last night refused to comment, but manager Steve McClaren is understood to be privately seething over the FA's decision.

An FA spokesman confirmed: "Queudrue was charged with violent behaviour. He has 14 days to respond and can request a personal hearing.''

The left-back has developed an unfortunate reputation as a serial offender since he arrived from Lens two years ago in an initial loan deal before completion of £2.5m move.

He has been sent off four times in his Boro career and was the only Premiership player red-carded on three occasions last season.

The Southampton game was only his third outing after serving a five-match suspension carried over from the previous campaign.

The incident came days after Queudrue insisted he was "not a dirty player'', but pledged he would strive to improve his disciplinary record.

McClaren is hugely supportive of Queudrue, who he believes has been guilty of nothing more than "over-exuberance''.

Boro will hope that Queudrue escapes with a fine, as Arsenal defender Sol Campbell did last week when a charge of "violent behaviour'' was reduced to "improper behaviour'' after he entered a plea of mitigation at a personal hearing over his clash with Manchester United's Eric Djemba-Djemba in the Community Shield.

The England international, who was fined £20,000 and warned about his future conduct, was able to claim provocation for his retaliatory kick at Djemba-Djemba following the United midfielder's hip-high challenge.

However, the FA may take a different view in the case of Queudrue, who is seen to have provoked Phillips, and Boro must fear that he will be hit with a three-match ban.

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