NEALE Cooper has lodged an appeal against Chris Westwood's dismissal in last week's Carling Cup game with West Brom.

The central defender was red carded by referee Phil Prosser an hour into the game after colliding with striker Scott Dobie on the edge of the penalty area.

Westwood made contact with the striker and, as the last defender, was red carded for a professional foul.

But after viewing the match video, Cooper and No 2 Martin Scott are hoping the red card can be overturned, which would allow Westwood to play in the home game with Sheffield Wednesday a week on Friday.

After initially accepting the decision, they changed their minds after seeing the incident on video and sent the video on Friday to the FA.

"We are hopeful of getting the decision reversed,'' confirmed Cooper.

"We looked at the video and you can see that there is no intent.

"He caught him, but his standing leg is in position when Dobie came across him.

"There is no intent at all. The hands are up straight away, he's not even tackled him because the ball was away.

"It was a tangle. We've got to try to appeal and we've sent it away anyway.

"We aren't causing a big fuss about it, we just feel there may be a case.

"The last thing we want is for him to be suspended, he is a massive player for us. I know he's been a stalwart for the club, but for me since I came here he's been outstanding.

"Him and Nelson together have been something else.''

Former Pool boss Chris Turner was watching the game in the studio for Sky Sports and felt at the time that the red card was harsh.

Pool take on Wrexham at Victoria Park tomorrow night. Denis Smith's side won at Tranmere on Saturday, a result which led to the sack for Rovers' boss Ray Mathias.

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