United loanee pleads guilty to drink-driving

Manchester United loanee Nick Powell, currently with Championship side Wigan Athletic, has pleaded guilty to drink-driving, according to reports in the local press. He was arrested in the early hours of 20 April, and at Crewe Magistrates' court today was banned from driving for 14 months and fined £5,000.

Powell will not join the Wigan squad tonight, as they visit Queen's Park Rangers for the second leg of their promotion playoff semi-final; the first leg ended goalless last week. He might not have played in any case: while he is Wigan's top scorer for the season, he was left out of the first leg completely, and has only scored twice since January amid a serious drop in form.

Wigan have not issued any comment, but Wigan Today state that it is "unclear" whether Powell will remain with the club should they reach the final at Wembley. There were rumours earlier in the season -- when he was playing well -- that David Moyes was looking to move Powell on, though presumably the incoming manager might feel differently. After all, he was a highly-rated prospect when he arrived from Crewe Alexandra for £4m. Though if you're reading, Nick, try and avoid doing anything quite this stupid again, eh?