Town have launched an appeal against Pablo Couñago's red card during Saturday's game at Scunthorpe. The Spaniard was dismissed along with on-loan Chelsea midfielder Jack Cork during the second half of the Blues' 2-1 victory.

Boss Jim Magilton told the club site: "We have looked at the video and it's handbags at best.

"We think we have grounds for an appeal and will be putting together video evidence to back our case.

"Their lad puts his hand in Pablo's face and Pablo just pushes him away. I think the referee could have pulled the two of them together and told them to grow up and left it at that."

Magilton also says that claims that the Town striker spat in the face of Iron defender Andy Butler are nonsense: "I have spoken to Pablo about the incident and he assures me that he didn't spit in their player's face.

"I would come down hard on any player that I feel is guilty of spitting in the face of a fellow pro, but Pablo says that he didn't do that and I believe him.

"He doesn't lie and I will stand up for him. I have watched the video and he gets caught by an elbow and spits out blood. It may be in the vague direction of a player, but it's nowhere near the player and certainly not in the lad's face."

Making an appeal against a red card can be a risky business these days with the FA increasing suspensions if they feel a club has made what they deem a frivolous claim. As things stand at present, Couñago faces a three-game ban.

Photo: Action Images

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