City and Hammers appeal dismissals
City have suffered three straight defeats
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Sunday, 24, Dec 2006 02:50
Struggling Manchester City and West Ham have appealed against the red cards given to Joey Barton and Paul Konchesky.
The appeals mean Barton can play against Sheffield United while Konchesky can face Portsmouth on Boxing Day as the Football Association are closed until Wednesday.
Barton was dismissed by referee Mike Riley three minutes from time in the 2-0 defeat to Bolton for a two-footed lunge on Abdoulaye Faye.
Manager Stuart Pearce said the referee had been harsh in giving a straight red.
"It was not a sending-off in my book, the most the tackle deserved was a yellow," Pearce said.
Konchesky was dismissed by referee Chris Foy on 85 minutes in the 0-0 draw with Fulham for a professional foul on Wayne Routledge.
Television replays showed Konchesky had won the ball and his trailing leg had caught Routledge.
Hammers boss Alan Curbishley said: "I think he has got the ball and I don't see that as a sending-off."
Their appeals will be heard by an FA disciplinary committee on Thursday.
Curbishley will be without suspended skipper Nigel Reo-Coker and James Collins due to a groin injury for the match with high-flying Pompey.
Argentine pair Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano could start while Danny Gabiddon has recovered from a hamstring injury.
Meanwhile, City boss Pearce will welcome back striker Bernardo Corradi in his bid to steer the club away from the drop zone.