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Rams opener goes down to the wire

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Rams boss Billy Davies was wired for sound on Saturday after being handed a one-game touchline ban by the FA.

Davies was sat in the Pride Park stands for his side`s return to the Barclays Premier League and a curtain-raising clash with Portsmouth.

The fiery Scot was handed the ban following an FA disciplinary commission hearing in Soho Square, as well as fined a total of £1,750.

The suspension and a fine of £1,000 were handed down after a charge was proven Davies had used abusive and/or insulting words to a match official during his side`s 1-0 Championship win at Southend on January 20.

A second charge of using abusive and/or insulting words to a club official was also proven, with Davies fined £750 and warned as to his future conduct.
While accepting the first charge, Davies confirmed he will appeal against the second.

It meant assistant David Kelly led out the team for their opening game of the season and passed on instructions to the players as the Rams began life back in the top-flight.

The duo, though, erred on the side of caution and practised using a mic system during the 2-2 home friendly draw with Spanish side Espanyol.

Meanwhile, the Rams clinched a work permit for United States central midfielder Benny Feilhaber.
A Home Office football review panel gave Feilhaber the green light as he initially did not meet the qualifying criteria of playing in 75 per cent of internationals in the last two years.

The 22-year-old, who was born in Rio de Janeiro but moved to the United States when he was six, completed a move from Bundesliga side Hamburg.

The Rams remain hopeful of signing Southampton striker Kenwyne Jones, having already had two bids rejected.
Davies has already spent a club record £3.5m on Rob Earnshaw this summer, and is ready to break the bank again to land Jones.

It is understood the fee on this occasion rises to £5m as it includes add-ons, but the Championship Saints are holding on for more for a player they see as one of their remaining prize assets.

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