Liverpool, Wigan midfielder Lee McCulloch has been banned for three matches for violent conduct by the Football Association.

Television evidence showed the Scotland international punching Sheffield United's Chris Morgan during Wigan's 0-1 defeat in the Premiership Saturday.

The incident was missed by referee Peter Walton, but McCulloch pleaded guilty to a charge of violent conduct in a hearing Tuesday.

His ban is effective immediately, ruling him out of Saturday's match against Chelsea, and the subsequent games against Manchester United and Watford.