Newcastle midfielder Yohan Cabaye has been charged with violent conduct following an incident in Saturday's FA Cup fourth round defeat at Brighton.
The Football Association confirmed on Monday evening that the French midfielder has been charged after allegedly kicking out at the Seagulls' Egyptian defender Adam El-Abd.
A statement said: "Newcastle United midfielder Yohan Cabaye has been charged with violent conduct following an incident in the FA Cup fourth round tie against Brighton Hove Albion."
The statement: "Cabaye was involved in an incident involving Brighton's Adam El-Abd during the FA Cup tie at the Amex Stadium on Saturday 28 January.
"Cabaye has until 6pm on Tuesday, January 31 2012 to respond to the charge."
The 26-year-old faces a three-match ban if he accepts or is subsequently convicted of the charge, with Newcastle well aware that the penalty could be increased if he decides to fight the allegation and fails.
El-Abd was left with a cut lip in the incident, although referee Lee Probert took no action at the time.
Cabaye would be a huge miss for Magpies boss Alan Pardew, particularly with regular central midfield partner Cheick Tiote still away on African Nations Cup duty with Ivory Coast.
The pair have played a major role in Newcastle's rise to sixth in the Barclays Premier League table and the absence of both at the same time would prove a significant loss.
Should Cabaye plead guilty, he would miss Wednesday night's Barclays Premier League trip to Blackburn, Sunday's home clash with Aston Villa and the tough visit to Tottenham the following weekend.
Source: PA
