Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand could miss the Carling Cup Final should his latest appeal over his ban for clashing with Hull City's Craig Fagan end in failure.

Ferdinand failed to overturn the automatic three-match ban he was handed after being charged with violent conduct by the Football Association following his altercation with Fagan during United's 4-0 rout of the Tigers on January 23.

The England defender saw the punishment extended to four games last week after a disciplinary panel ruled that his appeal was 'frivolous'.

Ferdinand missed Sunday's Premier League win over Arsenal and is also set to be absent from the upcoming games against Portsmouth, Aston Villa and Everton.

However, he is to appeal the additional one-match ban which had been criticised by United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

Should Ferdinand fail in his latest appeal then he could be handed another additional one-match ban.

That would rule him out of the Carling Cup Final against Aston Villa at Wembley on February 28.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email