MANAGER Peter Jackson will launch an appeal against the sending-off of star Town defender Efe Sodje.

The 30-year-old Nigerian international will miss vital games against Swansea, Sunderland (Carling Cup) and Leyton Orient if his red card in Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Bury is upheld.

Having originally criticised Sodje's challenge on Joe O'Neil as "stupid" and accusing him of "having let the whole club down," Jackson has changed his mind after watching the video.

He explained today: "When I spoke to the referee after the match he said that Efe had punched the lad to the ground.

"While it looks like there may have been contact as momentum took the two players around, I don't think it could in any way be considered violent conduct.

"My thoughts at the time were that Efe had taken him down as he was bearing down on goal and that the referee had no option, but having looked at it again I don't think that's the case and we are going to appeal to the FA.

"It was still a ridiculous situation for Efe to end up in, because he should have come and headed the ball in the first place, but the sending-off looks harsh.

"It was no more than wrestling for the ball on the turn, so to suffer a three-match ban for that would be very hard when we've already been punished by losing the game because of it.

"Even a successful appeal won't bring the points back - and I'm bitterly disappointed about the result over there - but I don't think Efe threw a punch and I hope the FA will see it that way too."

Referee André Marriner, who was 20 yards away near the centre-circle at the time, was in no doubt. He said: "The Huddersfield player punched the opponent on the back of the head, knocking him to the ground. That's violent conduct and that's why Sodje was sent-off."

Jackson added: "Efe says the Bury people all supported him that it wasn't a red, but all we can do is appeal and take it from there."

Town dropped two places to 18th after mistakes cost goals to Danny Swailes and Lee Connell either side of a Paul Scott header in front of more than 2,000 travelling fans.

"The first goal was a shocking one to concede and I'll be surprised if Ian Gray makes another mistake all season like he did for the second one, but the sending-off cost us badly and it's three points down the drain," said Jackson, whose side face Martin Smith and Northampton at the McAlpine on Saturday.

"While I know certain sections of support are disappointed and critical, there are still 40 games left and we have to be positive. This is a big season for the club and we knew it was going to be a roller-coaster.

"We will bounce back. Myself and Taff are out this week looking at players and the squad will dig in even more to pick things up."

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