DAVID BATTY faces a possible FA disrepute charge after apparently pushing referee David Elleray moments on from getting a red card in Newcastle's defeat at Blackburn on Sunday. Elleray's report on the game is due at Lancaster Gate within the next 24 hours, and even if the incident goes unmentioned, media interest may bring it to the attention of the FA just as it has with club skipper Alan Shearer who has been ordered to explain his recent boot-in-the-face clash with Leicester's Neil Lennon. And though neither of the Newcastle's players' Wembley places can be endangered - or their trip to the World Cup for that matter - further controversy would cast even more gloom over the Toon Army's preparations for the FA Cup final against Arsenal on Saturday. Batty was sent packing n the 64th minute for aiming a punch at the back of Garry Flitcroft's head when the two former Rovers team-mates contested a loose ball. When Elleray produced the red card, the midfielder due to be named in Glenn Hoddle's 30-man provisional World Cup squad today seemed to push the public school housemaster before heading down the tunnel. The former-Leeds star admitted he was enraged by what he saw as an unjust sending-off, but when asked whether he had pushed the referee he insisted: "I don't remember doing that." He did then add: "I had to be ushered down the tunnel because I was so angry. I don't know how it looked on the television but I know what happened. I just wanted to get the ball. Why would I want to do anything which would get me sent off in the last game of the season, a game that meant nothing, and a week before the FA Cup final? Unless Elleray shocks the entire world by ignoring the incident and decides to reverse the red card after studying video evidence, Batty will miss the first five games of next season - three games for the immediate violent conduct offence plus two for being sent off three times in one season. However if the FA then get involved, there is the possibility of an even longer suspension and a hefty fine being imposed on a player sent off four times since his arrival at St James Park yet amazingly never at Leeds. Toon Army manager Kenny Dalglish did come away from his former employers with one piece of good news, however, as Blackburn boss Roy Hodgson backed the Geordies to surprise the double-seeking champions at Wembley. He said: "They have a genuine chance of beating Arsenal. Just remember though they are favourites, Arsene Wenger's team have lost two games on the trot including a heavy defeat at Liverpool. "Newcastle will certainly be up for it and on the evidence of our game, there is plenty of enthusiasm and energy in the side. More significantly, they have big men and I'm not just talking about size. There is quality throughout the side - and individuals who are made for occasions such as a Cup final. Wembley is a one-off and I have a feeling Arsenal need Dennis Bergkamp to be fit if they are to win. Newcastle can certainly go there with a lot of hope.

PETIT WARNS GEORDIES: GUNNERS WILL BE FIRING AGAIN AT WEMBLEY   Arsenal may have lost their final two League games of the season without scoring but Emmanuel Petit has warned Newcastle they will be a completely different' proposition come the FA Cup final and the chase to secure the second Double in the club's history. The French international admits that defeats at Liverpool and Aston Villa have hardly been the ideal preparation for the task ahead on Saturday yet insists that, apart from continuing doubts over Dennis Bergkamp's fitness, there is no cause for concern. When you lose two games it's never easy to come back, but it will be completely different for the final, he said. We conceded five goals without scoring one ourselves in two games but the pressure was off. We have enough players with a great deal of experience to be ready for the final and to make sure our concentration is right.'' One reason for the confidence is Petit's belief that Ian Wright, who failed to have any impact against either Villa or Liverpool on his comeback from a lengthy injury, to be raring at Wembley. It's not been easy for Ian as he came back only just in time for the game that won us the championship," said the magnifique midfielder. "It can be difficult to come into a team when the pressure is relaxed but he will be ready for the final, I have no doubt about that." Arsenal received another massive lift yesterday with Patrick Vieira declaring he wants to be a Highbury hero for the next decade. The France star has two years of his contract to run with a two-year option. Not enough apparently - or perhaps it was the taste of too much of the Championship champagne that had him saying: I would like to spend the next 10 years at Arsenal. I've been so happy here and I can see no reason why I would want to leave. "I've already won one medal - that never happened when I was at Cannes or AC Milan. I can't wait for the final. I've never been to the stadium. It's something I cannot wait to experience."

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