ALAN PARDEW is expected to learn what punishment he will be handed for his headbutt at the KC Stadium within the next few days.

The personal hearing the Newcastle United manager requested following being hit with the Football Association's charge of improper conduct will take place on Tuesday.

Then Pardew will find out the extent of the punishment he will be handed, with varying speculation on what that is likely to be.

It was claimed yesterday that he has hired a QC to speak on his behalf at the hearing as he tries to limit the punishment he faces.

Pardew has already accepted the charge, but is keen to explain his disgraceful actions when he tried to headbutt Hull midfielder David Meyler on the touchline.

The FA are understood to be ready to throw the book at him, which could mean a lengthy ban.

Pardew had a free weekend because of Newcastle's failure to progress to the latter stages of the FA Cup and his assistant John Carver seems set to be taking the reins for this Saturday's trip to Fulham.