Blackpool midfielder Tom Ince hit with two-game ban for misconduct charge

England Under-21 star had been accused of using an offensive and/or abusive gesture towards a match offical

Staying or going: Ince's future still remains unclear

Blackpool forward Thomas Ince has been handed an immediate two-match ban by the Football Association.

Ince accepted a charge given to him by the governing body for using an offensive and/or insulting and/or abusive gesture towards a match official during the Tangerines' Capital One Cup defeat to rivals Preston.

North End won the contest 1-0 and the final whistle was greeted by a pitch invasion which saw a steward trampled on by a police horse.

It means Blackpool will be without their highly-rated winger for this Saturday's clash against Barnsley and the trip to Middlesbrough.

However, Ince, who is also carrying a minor groin injury, could feature for the England Under-21s against Scotland at Bramall Lane next Tuesday after he was named in the squad today.

PA