Nigel Quashie's week deteriorated further with the news that the West Bromwich Albion midfielder has been charged with misconduct by the Football Association. The charge relates to his dismissal against Middlesbrough last Sunday, which has already cost him two weeks' wages and could mean an extension to his four-game ban.

Quashie, who is likely to play some part in Scotland's friendly international against Switzerland tonight, has already served a suspension after being sent-off for Southampton at Hull. Therefore he faces a minimum four-game ban for his indiscretion of kicking out at George Boateng.

But that ban could now be extended after referee Mike Dean included in his match report that Quashie allegedly used foul and abusive language towards one of his assistants as he left the pitch.

A statement from the FA read: "West Bromwich Albion's Nigel Quashie has been charged with using abusive and/or insulting words towards a match official.

"The charge relates to his conduct following his sendingoff against Middlesbrough on February 26."

Quashie has until 6pm tomorrow to respond to the charge, with a disciplinary commission set to hear the case on March 7.

A further ban would stretch Bryan Robson's small squad to the limit and ratchet up the pressure ahead of this weekend's clash with Chelsea.

Albion's need to acquire points has magnified, as Birmingham City are now breathing down their necks in a tense relegation-battling scenario with shades of 1994.

On that occasion both sides were in the Championship and Albion survived on goal difference at the expense of their near neighbours, courtesy of a final-day victory at Portsmouth.

However, while the temperature is rising at pitch level, Albion chairman Jeremy Peace is determined to keep a cool head in the boardroom.

While Portsmouth have spent a phenomenal amount of money in order to stave off the threat of relegation, Albion have been more conservative in their approach.

Peace is convinced Albion will be a Premiership side again next season despite their current travails.

"During my chairmanship we have had a reasonably good run first-team wise and we are in for another battle again this season, of that I am sure," he said.

"It is tough to stay in this division but we will endeavour to do our best.

"Despite the struggle we are in at present I am pretty encouraged by the way the club is going at present.

"Balance sheet-wise we are running pretty much neutral on cash. We have got cash on one side and debt on the East Stand to the other.

"But we are not in a bad position.

"The whole business model flexes down if we get relegated. Income goes down as does our cost base.

"We have tried to improve all areas of the club year on year on the basis that eventually we will end up in the right place. Which is staying long term in the Premiership."

Peace's long-term strategy includes the club being self-sufficient.

While he has no plans to depart The Hawthorns, he is determined that his blueprint for success will ensure a stable football club for many years to come.

"If I depart and fall under a bus tomorrow, the club will continue to run successfully," said Peace. "They will just have to find someone else to sit where I am.

"We deliberately structured it so the club will carry on and we have succession sorted out in most areas. We can cope with any short-term crisis.

"We can't do what Blues do and stick our hands in our pockets.

"It is about trying to keep your costs as tight as possible outside the first team squad whilst trying to improve all areas.

"There is basically a block of money split between transfer fees and salaries.

" A club like Bolton have gone for the model of no transfer fees and put their money into the wage bill. But they have got a good research network on

players, as they know where they are and who they are. I think we have got to get our network throughout Europe as good as Bolton's

"The British market is where it is at and maybe there are better opportunities abroad. Zoltan Gera is a good example of that."