IRELAND prop Nick Popplewell could be disciplined by Newcastle for the punch that floored Bedford lock Scott Murray during Saturday's ill tempered second division clash.
Newcastle manager Rob Andrew has confirmed that video evidence of the 50th minute incident is currently being studied ate Kingston Park.
"We are looking at the video of both the Nick Popplewell incident, and that which resulted in Tony Underwood's broken jaw, before taking any further action," said Andrew.
England wing Underwood was hurt after being on the receiving end of a crunching, possibly high, tackle from his opposite number Paul Hewitt as Newcastle lost 34-28.
Bedford cannot cite Popplewell for foul play because referee Steve Lander cautioned him, although Newcastle may still take their own action by either fining or suspending the 1993 Lion.
Lander had his hands full as the promotion rivals locked horns before a capacity Goldington Road crowd, also dishing out yellow cards to Bedford's former rugby league players Junior Paramore and Steve McMurrie for high tackles.
Scotland A forward Murray has already ruled out taking the Popplewell matter any further though, despite suffering eye damage. "It is not as bad as everyone first thought, and I expect to be playing again next Saturday," he said.
"I don't know why he did it, but I guess that I must have done, something wrong. It is just something that happens in the heat of the moment."
Meanwhile, Underwood yesterday refused to write off his Lions chances in South Africa this summer, but the 25 times capped international has confessed: "It will be touch and go."
Underwood was due to undergo further X rays yesterday following an appointment with the Newcastle United medical staff, but doesn't believe that his jaw will need wiring.
"Nothing has been displaced, and the doctors believe everything should knit together within two or three weeks," said Underwood.
"Obviously, I will then require another fortnight or so before I can play again, so it will be touch, and go, but this injury does not" mean the end of my Lions chances."
The list of replacement candidates for Underwood is probably headed by Bath pair Adebayo Adebayo and Jon Sleightholme.
