BLACKBURN boss Mark Hughes says Craig Bellamy is 'devastated' he will miss Rovers' trip to Newcastle a week tomorrow, writes ANDY NEILD.

Bellamy was desperate to face his former club at St James' Park for the first time since he quit the Magpies following a much-publicised bust-up with manager Graeme Souness last summer.

However, the Welsh international picked up his fifth booking of the season in Wednesday night's Carling Cup semi-final first leg with Manchester United, which means he will now serve a one-game ban when Rovers face the Toon in eight days' time.

"Craig is still scratching his head wondering why he got booked on Wednesday and he's now going to miss the game he was really looking forward to," said Hughes.

"At the time, he wasn't happy with the booking and then you could actually see his reaction about 10 seconds later when he then realised he was going to miss the Newcastle game, and i can understand his frustration. I thought it was a really harsh booking.

"But he'll get over it. We've got other big games ahead of us, and he'll be okay for them."

Bellamy was cautioned for dissent in the 33rd minute of Wednesday night's match, when he disputed Rob Styles' decision to penalise Shefki Kuqi for a foul on United keeper Edwin Van Der Sar.

Normally speaking, Rovers fine their players when they pick up cautions for dissent but, on this occasion, Hughes may decide not to enforce that punishment as he felt the booking was unwarranted.

"It's club policy to fine players for dissent but I wouldn't have thought we would fine him for that," said the Rovers boss.

"I think he just asked why the referee had given the free kick. I thought it was very harsh."

Meanwhile, Robbie Savage is now walking a disciplinary tightrope after the Welshman picked up his ninth booking of the season against United.

Savage was cautioned for his part in a first half clash with Wayne Rooney and Alan Smith, although Smith appeared to be the guilty party after his rash challenge sparked a melee.

"I just think the referee decided there were three people involved," added Hughes.

"Robbie was the injured party but he was involved and the ref thought he had to book them all. That can only be the explanation for it."