HUDDERSFIELD Town could know by tonight whether Alan Lee’s sending-off appeal has succeeded.
The Football Association, who have confirmed the striker’s suspension would be for three rather than the four matches first feared, are due to consider Town’s case this afternoon.
If the straight red card – handed out by referee Darren Drysdale after a clash with Sam Sodje during Saturday’s 2-1 home win over Notts County – is rescinded, the 33-year-old will be available for next Monday’s big televised clash at League I leaders Charlton.
If the appeal, which will use video evidence to support Lee’s claim that his arms were not raised, is rejected, the former Republic of Ireland frontman will return for the home Boxing Day clash with Chesterfield after missing the games against Charlton, Bournemouth (home on Saturday, December 10) and Sheffield Wednesday (away on Saturday, December 17).
Former Crystal Palace star Lee has been an influential figure for Town this season.
And manager Lee Clark has already confirmed that should the ban stand, he will try to bring in cover before Thursday’s Football League loan deadline.
Clark, meanwhile, has pulled the plug on today’s scheduled development game at Sheffield Wednesday.
“There are a few lads feeling a little bit under the weather, and we also have the FA Youth Cup tie (against Crewe at the Galpharm) tomorrow,” he explained.
“It’s nothing to worry about in terms of availability for the game down at Charlton.
“But there is no point taking any unnecessary risks, and the beauty of organising our own development games is that we have the flexibility of being able to change them at short notice, as we have done on this occasion.”
Clark plans to combine fitness sessions with rest periods this week.
“Having the extra time period before Charlton means we can do something different,” he added.
“The aim is to combine some intensive periods of hard work with rest and recuperation, which is just as important, and the players have responded well when we have worked like this in the past.”
Match-specific work will start later this week and Clark will take his squad to the capital on Sunday.
“We will prepare the same way as usual but just change the times to suit the game,” he said.
Midfielder Oscar Gobern, out for eight matches with an ankle injury, trained without problem yesterday.
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