Roy Keane will face Football Association inquisitors at the Reebok Stadium today ready to prolong the battle if required.
The Manchester United skipper knows he will be hit by a massive ban and severe fine should he fail to clear his name from two disrepute charges relating to his recently released autobiography.
He is charged on two accounts of bringing the game into disrepute, first for making an "improperly motivated" tackle on Manchester City midfielder Alfie Haaland and also cashing in on the tackle through his best-selling life story.
Keane opted to contest the charges despite the fact he could have pleaded guilty and served any ban before his imminent return from hip surgery.
It is thought Keane will attempt to defend himself against the dual charge by claiming he has never deliberately set out to injure any player, despite comments to the contrary in his book. He is likely to begin an immediate appeal should the decision go against him.
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson is likely to provide evidence on Keane's behalf, although the bizarre suggestion that Haaland himself may be called to speak for the Irishman looks like a non-starter.
A three-man panel, likely to be chaired by FA disciplinary committee chief Barry Bright, will hear evidence from both sides before reaching their verdict.
It is believed the case will take a single day but with prominent QCs acting for both sides, the possibility exists that it may overrun.