NEWCASTLE’S Danny Guthrie has been warned not to expect protection from the Professional Footballers’ Association if he receives additional punishment for his tackle that broke the leg of Hull’s Craig Fagan.

Guthrie was shown a straight red card in the 90th minute of Saturday’s 2-1 defeat for his x-rated tackle on Fagan – earning the midfielder an automatic three-match ban.

And union leader Gordon Taylor has warned that the FA may choose to impose an additional sanction on Guthrie for a challenge that has drawn widespread criticism.

Taylor, who also called for clubs to take a more active role in punishing players who transgress codes of conduct, confirmed: “What he (Guthrie) did was clearly not acceptable.

“I’m not sure what the FA are planning but I think its entirely possible they will come up with a charge of bringing the game into disrepute.

“We’ve all seen what happened and you can’t condone it. I accept that it is a high-profile, highly-emotional game and that there are clearly some things going on at Newcastle which probably have an effect on a lot of people.’’ The FA confirmed that they are weighing up the option of increasing the statutory ban for violent conduct once they have studied video evidence and the report from match referee Andre Marriner.

And Taylor is concerned that, following the launch of the FA’s Respect initiative, the governing body will take a tough line.

“We have signed up to a disciplinary procedure which can do this but there is only one body who can enforce it and that is the FA.

“These days, respect for referees, opponents and the game itself is a major issue and although its fine to try to educate people along those lines there has got to be a deterrent as well,” added Taylor who noted Guthrie’s public apology, issued on Monday.

Newcastle caretaker boss, Chris Hughton spoke out in support of Guthrie, claiming the incident was out of character for the 21-year-old.

“Danny’s a terrific lad, as I think most of us know, and that’s not in his nature. I think it was just the emotion of the game.

“It was quite physical at times, but I think that went with the whole afternoon, and he’s a young man who just got caught up in it,” said Hughton.

Adding to the gloom on Tyneside is the news that Alan Smith is expected to be out for up to three months after suffering a stress fracture of his ankle.

Yet to score for Newcastle, Smith yesterday underwent a scan to assess the full extent of the injury. If he requires surgery, the former Manchester United player faces a three month spell on the sidelines.

The best-case scenario is that Smith will face around eight weeks out while his injured ankle heals.

But right-back Habib Beye will not, as was originally feared, require an Achilles operation.

Newcastle have not yet confirmed when the right-back will be fully fit but it is hoped he will be back in action in the next few weeks.

And Jonas Gutierrez did not dislocate his shoulder on international duty as was reported last Wednesday.

A statement from the Argentina Football Federation said: “Jonas Gutierrez has a little fracture in the right clavicle.

With the allowance of his club Newcastle, Jonas will stay in Buenos Aires to be treated by the national team’s medical staff.”