STEVE Cotterill has been formally charged by the Football Association following his 'sending off' against Gillingham last Monday.

During the league game, which the Clarets lost 2-1, the Burnley manager was sent to the stands by referee Richard Beeby following a stand-up row with the fourth official.

As expected, the incident was duly recorded in Beeby's match report to the FA. And Soho Square chiefs have since confirmed a charge that could land Cotterill with a hefty fine, a touchline ban, or even both.

An FA spokesman said: "Following the game against Gillingham, during which Mr Cotterill was ordered to the stand, the club have been informed that the Burnley manager has been charged with using abusive or/and insulting words to the match official.

"Mr Cotterill now has 14 days to respond to the charge."

Cotterill, who has until September 15 to reply to the allegation, already seems certain to appeal following his insistence he did little wrong other other than query whether a barge by Gills striker Darren Byfield on John McGreal should have resulted in a free kick to Burnley.

Meanwhile, Clarets keeper Danny Coyne has revealed his frustration at being forced to withdraw from the Wales squad for tonight's World Cup qualifier in Azerbaijan.

Coyne is back at Turf Moor undergoing treatment for a tweaked hamstring picked up in the final moments of the last training session before flying to the European outpost.

And he now faces a race against time to rejoin the Wales squad ahead of next Wednesday's equally important qualifying game against Northern Ireland in Cardiff.

"It is just so disappointing," Coyne admitted. "I seem to keep picking up these little niggles with Wales at just the wrong time.

"I felt the hamstring in the last dive of the last session before we finished our preparations and I knew straight away the consequences.

"I was so looking forward to being involved in Azerbaijan, but now I'm just hoping it settles down in time for next week.

"The Welsh squad meets up again on Sunday and at the moment I'm planning to go back down there and let them have a look at me.

"If things are okay I can stay and if not, I'll come back to Burnley on Monday and try to get myself right for the game against Crewe next weekend."