Dundee United midfielder Paul Paton could miss the visit of Celtic on Sunday through suspension after being offered a two-match ban for allegedly spitting at Aberdeen winger Jonny Hayes.

Paton fouled Hayes during the Dons' 2-0 win at Tannadice on Saturday and the Irishman reacted angrily seconds later after Paton motioned his head slightly towards his grounded opponent.

The Aberdeen winger denied that Paton spat at him on Tuesday but the United player was soon issued with a notice of complaint from the Scottish Football Association.

Less than an hour before the SFA announced the charge against Paton, Hayes had declared his opponent innocent.

The former Inverness player wrote on Twitter: "Just wanna clear it up that Paul Paton never spat at me, what happens and is said on the pitch is brushed aside at the end of 90mins!"

After the charge was announced, Hayes added: "And What happened on Saturday will stay between myself and Paul,we've spoke on this non issue, and if asked I'll confirm what happened.

"To the Scottish FA, I'd never want to see a fellow pro being accused or found guilty of something that never happened!"

The Tannadice incident was captured on television footage and SFA compliance officer Tony McGlennan acted despite referee Crawford Allan booking him seconds later for the foul.

Paton will face a hearing on Thursday if he denies the charge and will sit out Sunday's Scottish Premiership contest with Celtic unless he successfully challenges the ban.

That would see him avoid a difficult situation given he was arrested over an alleged assault on Celtic goalkeeper Lukasz Zaluska in October. The case has been under consideration by the procurator fiscal.

Paton's yellow card on Saturday was his sixth in the league this season, sparking a one-match ban that he was due to serve against St Johnstone on December 27. He would also miss another derby, against Dundee on New Year's Day, if the spitting ban is upheld.

Meanwhile, Queen of the South defender Andy Dowie has been offered a two-match suspension for stamping on Rangers midfielder Ian Black.

Paton was accused of "committing violent conduct at a match by deliberately standing on an opposing player's leg" following an incident in his team's 2-0 Championship win over Rangers on Friday night.