The Lone Ranger's rap sheet lengthens

Well looky here - if it isn't another new chapter in the inglorious and increasingly lengthy tale of the Lone Ranger's off-field misdemeanours. You have to doff your cap to his knack for sabotaging his Toon future - having worked hard enough to force his way back into the squad for last week's League Cup trip to Ewood Park, he's now shot himself in the foot again (if you'll pardon the expression, given his history with firearms).

We'll have to wait and see what punishment is meted out by the law, but surely he's now done more than enough to be bounced out of the club? While his colleagues collaborated to produce a committed, spirited and consummately professional display in beating Stoke (Paul's match report to follow), his attitude and disrespect for the club, the management, his fellow players and us fans is little short of a disgrace.