MIDDLESBROUGH are waiting to hear whether defender Franck Queudrue will face a trial by video for his part in Southampton striker Kevin Phillips' sending off.

Former Sunderland man Phillips, a Boro target in the summer, was shown the red card by referee Barry Knight in the final minute of the Premiership clash at St Mary's on Saturday.

The diminutive frontman faces a three-match ban after he kicked out at Queudrue.

But it is the news that Queudrue could face another suspension that will concern Boro.

The Frenchman missed the Riverside outfit's opening five matches of the season through a poor disciplinary record in the 2002-03 campaign.

Now the Football Association are awaiting Mr Knight's match report from Saturday - after television replays appeared to show Queudrue provoking Phillips by treading on his calf.

Should the Orpington official overlook Queudrue's involvement, then the FA may still opt to refer the matter to their video advisory panel.

An FA spokesman said: "Nothing can happen before we receive the referee's report tomorrow. But the FA are, of course, entitled to look at any incidents they feel are worthy of disciplinary procedure."

Queudrue's return to the Boro starting line-up has coincided with a three-match winning run.

Manager Steve McClaren would hate to be without the former Lens star again, so early after the player returned from a lengthy suspension.

Prior to Saturday's match, McClaren revealed how he was hoping Queudrue would clean up his act.

"We knew we would miss him and he has shown over the past few games exactly why," said McClaren. "He is a really good player.

"We are looking for a bit more consistency in his discipline because we would have been stronger with him in the side." McClaren has also hailed the performances of experienced Colin Cooper. The versatile defender turned in another impressive display at St Mary's as Boro had to cope without both Ugo Ehiogu and Gareth Southgate.

Cooper, who captained the side against Southampton, was on the verge of leaving in the summer, as contract talks hit a stumbling block.

However, the two parties reached an agreement in the end and the former England man signed a one-year extension.

McClaren said: "The performances by Colin, never mind if he has got the captain's armband or not, have been magnificent and he is a leader. At 37 it is testament to the professional that he is."

Meanwhile, McClaren has warned Boro to be aware of the threat of Wigan Athletic after the two clubs were drawn together in the Carling Cup.

Wigan are flying high in the First Division. And McClaren, who will take his side to the JJB Stadium in the week commencing October 27, said: "That will be a tough tie for us, make no mistake.

"They have been going very well. We know what they are all about and I think they have had many a Premiership scalp over the past couple of seasons and it's a tough one."

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