Millwall and Watford upcoming opponents set to be rocked by 'lengthy ban' to talisman amid alleged bite

Millwall and Watford are both set to face Preston North End in Championship action over the coming nine days but the Lilywhites are set to be rocked by a lengthy ban to one first team star.

Paul Heckingbottom's side played out a 0-0 draw with Blackburn Rovers on Sunday in a feisty affair that has set the footballing world talking thanks to one moment in particular. Preston North End man Milutin Osmajic is alleged to have bitten Owen Beck on the neck during a melee late on in the game, which had seen the Blackburn man sent off for kicking out at Duane Holmes.

Beck swung a leg to try and clear the ball in the 87th minute, but clobbered Holmes, which sparked a heated confrontation between the two sides. Montenegro international Osmajic grabbed Beck under each arm before appearing to bite the Liverpool loanee's neck from behind.

Referee Matthew Donohue showed a red card to Beck for his challenge on Holmes before issuing a yellow to Osmajic for his role in what followed. The Mirror reports that the player is now set to face 'further action' from the FA this week. Speaking after the game, Blackburn Rovers boss John Eustace admitted that Beck was left 'shaken up' by the incident and had a 'big bite mark' as a result.

He added: "I haven't really seen it, he went to clear the ball and possibly caught the lad. He's got a big bite mark on the back of his neck.

"It's a shame the referee didn't see that as well. He has been in and shown the lads. He's very disappointed to be sent off and you don't expect him to have that either. He's a bit quiet in there and a bit shaken up.

“I don't know if he spoke to the referee. I'm not sure if it was before or after the red. He might want to speak to the officials about it. It's a very serious incident, nobody likes to be bitten. Everyone is angry about it, it's not a nice situation to be in. I'm sure the right people will see it and deal with it.”

How the FA respond to the apparent biting incident remains to be seen but football fans will remember former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez being handed a 10-match ban for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic in 2013.

Millwall are set to welcome Preston North End to The Den on Saturday with Watford due to make the trip to Deepdale on Wednesday, October 2. Preston sit 21st in the Championship table with the Lions in 18th and the Hornets in 8th.

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The loss of Osmajic would be a blow to Heckingottom ahead of his visit to the capital and upcoming second tier clashes with the 25-year-old having already made eight appearances in all competitions this term. The striker bagged a hat-trick against Harrogate Town in the Carabao Cup in August.