World Cup hopes fade for Smith

Alan Smith's impending five-match ban has jeopardised his chances of playing for England in this summer's World Cup. The Leeds United striker failed in an appeal hearing at York yesterday to have the sixth red card of his career overturned, and he will not return to the Premiership until 3 March.

The Football Association's video advisory panel agreed with the referee Andy D'Urso's decision in dismissing Smith for violent conduct during the FA Cup defeat at Cardiff 11 days ago. The four-match suspension was upheld, with the 21-year-old also incurring a further automatic one-match ban for picking up his fifth booking of the season in the 3-1 defeat at Newcastle on Saturday.

Smith will miss Sunday's match with Arsenal, as well as games against Chelsea, Liverpool, Middlesbrough and Charlton, although he will be eligible to play in the Uefa Cup ties with PSV Eindhoven on 21 and 28 February.

By the time England play the Netherlands in a friendly on 13 February, Smith will have been an onlooker for a month. When he returns to league action, against Everton in early March, he will have only two months to force his way into the England reckoning.