Wenger to fine Lauren £30,000

Arsenal are set to fine Cameroon defender Lauren around £30,000 for his late return from international duty in the African Nations Cup.

Lauren was expected back at the club's London Colney training centre today - 48 hours after the deadline set by Arsenal, who are preparing for tomorrow's FA Cup tie with Gillingham.

Manager Arsene Wenger feels badly let down after making it clear to both Lauren and Nwankwo Kanu, who was with Nigeria in the tournament, that he needed them back at the club as soon as possible after they had played their final game in Mali.

Lauren's played in the final itself on Sunday, when Cameroon beat Senegal on penalties. But he went back to the Cameroon capital, Yaounde, with the rest of his team-mates and informed Arsenal that he was leaving yesterday. Earlier this week, Kanu returned on schedule.

Wenger will feel obliged to take action over Lauren's lateness. When Kanu made a similar delayed return two years ago he was fined two weeks' wages. The Arsenal manager insists on keeping internal disciplinary matters private but Lauren can expect a similar censure and that will amount to around £30,000.

Wenger said last week that he understands the demands on his players when they go to Africa for the Nations Cup, especially if they win it.

"I know they are expected to go home and meet government ministers as part of the celebrations," he said. "But I also want them back here as quickly as possible to help them recover. The tournament has made immense physical demands on them."