WANDERERS could face a long and anxious wait before learning their fate as a result of what has become known as the Battle of Burnden.

Bolton officials are still considering how to respond to the Football Association's charges following the mass brawl at the Wolves game on January 18.

And it could be three months before sentence is passed!

But the two Division One rivals will get an early indication of the punishment they can expect when Norwich and Crystal Palace go in the dock on March 7 on similar charges brought after an almost identical flare-up at Carrow Road on December 14. Palace had two players sent off after tempers boiled over after a clash between Palace midfielder Ray Houghton and City's Darren Eadie while no cards were shown after the Bolton-Wolves dust-up. But video footage shows distinct similarities between the two cases.

The FA have warned that they have wide-ranging powers available to them, including the docking of league points.

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