MIDDLESBROUGH have confirmed their intention to appeal against Adama Traore's red card in Saturday's 3-3 draw with Sunderland.

Boro have informed the Football Association they intend to contest referee Tim Robinson's decision to dismiss the winger, and have until 1pm tomorrow to formally submit their appeal documents.

As things stand, Traore is facing a four-match suspension as he has already received a red card this season.

Traore appeared to shove Costa Rican wing-back Bryan Oviedo in the chest off the ball and his rush of blood was spotted by the referee’s assistant, who then told Robinson what he had seen.

However, Boro do not feel the punishment was merited, and believe Traore has been harshly treated for what they consider a minor indiscretion.

Robinson is also likely to include in his report that the 22-year-old remonstrated angrily with him and the fourth official, and had to be pulled away by members of the Middlesbrough bench including Adam Clayton.

That could lead to a charge and, potentially, a fine and an extension of his ban.

To have Traore missing for at least four of the remaining 12 matches in the run-in, including Friday’s meeting with Leeds at the Riverside, would be a major blow in the push for promotion.

Pulis said: “I was really disappointed with Adama until I saw it again, and he says Oviedo comes round and pokes him in the eye.

“Adama reacts to that, pushes him in the chest and the kid falls over, so we’ll see what the FA have to say about that.

“It’s a reaction, you can’t react irrespective of what people do to you, but let’s hope and pray people see what Oviedo did. He’s not pushed him for no reason you’ll see why he’s reacted.”

Middlesbrough have already had a successful appeal over a red card this month. The FA overturned the dismissal of Rudy Gestede at Norwich when he was braced to miss three matches.

Boro are still two points shy of the play-off places after letting the lead slip twice at Sunderland when they had to settle for a draw in the end. A victory would have seen them climb up to sixth.

Callum McManaman, deep in stoppage-time, struck the second equaliser and the Sunderland winger charged straight over to his former boss Pulis while cupping his ear.

His celebration was designed to make a point to Pulis, who signed him from Wigan for £4.75m when he was at West Brom but then only started him in seven Premier League games during two years at The Hawthorns. He also sent him on loan to Sheffield Wednesday.

The pair could be seen having a word with each other as they walked down the tunnel after the final whistle, but Pulis didn’t seem too bothered about the player’s actions.

The Boro boss said: “Not really. He was disappointed when he was at West Brom because I didn’t pick him, he went to Sheffield Wednesday and they didn’t pick him. Now he’s here and they don’t pick him.

“Let’s get that over with and talk about the game. It’s just a bit of banter between two people, a bit of fun. I understand why he’s disappointed, because everyone wants to play. There was no pushing or shoving.”

McManaman was not put up for interview after the match so Sunderland’s version of events was left to manager Chris Coleman. He said: “I didn’t know the history. I thought he was running to me! It’s a bit embarrassing as I got blanked.

“It didn’t work out for Callum at West Brom under Tony but I didn’t get into it afterwards with Cal. I don’t know what was said there was probably words and a reaction but I was happy with Cal’s equaliser.

“There’s obviously a bit of history there.”