LONDON: Southampton striker Charlie Austin has been handed a two-match FA ban for making an abusive gesture towards Manchester City supporters during a Premier League game at St Mary’s last month. He will miss Saturday’s league visit to Leicester City and Wednesday’s FA Cup third round replay at home to Derby County but will be back for the Jan. 19 game with Everton. Austin, 29, was caught making a two-fingered gesture towards a section of booing away fans while being substituted during Southampton’s 3-1 league defeat in late December. “Southampton’s Charlie Austin has been suspended for two matches with immediate effect following an independent regulatory commission hearing,” the FA said in a statement. “The striker admitted his gesture in or around the 68th minute of the game against Manchester City on 30 December 2018 was abusive and/or insulting.” Southampton forwards Danny Ings and Michael Obafemi are also both set to miss the Leicester game with hamstring injuries. Saints are third from bottom in the standings two points behind Cardiff City who are in the safety zone. Austin has scored three goals in 18 games in all competitions this season. Published in Daily Times, January 12th 2019.