Leeds United: Midfielder Mowatt waits on red card appeal verdict

Leeds are challenging the decision to send Mowatt off for a foul in the final seconds of their victory at St Andrews, a punishment which left the 21-year-old midfielder facing an automatic three-game ban.

Mowatt stands to miss Saturday’s meeting with Reading and next week’s matches against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Hull City, but head coach Steve Evans moved to lodge an appeal after describing Mowatt’s sliding tackle on Birmingham’s Ryan Shotton as “a yellow card at best.”

The dismissal was the first of a career which saw Mowatt pass the 100 appearances mark for Leeds United this month.

United notified the Football Association of their intention to fight the red card today and will learn the outcome tomorrow.

Both Evans and Birmingham manager Gary Rowett were critical of referee Chris Kavanagh at full-time, with Evans accusing the official of “losing control.”

Evans said: “We had to endure a refereeing performance which can’t be acceptable. He gave a red card which was never a red with the benefit of watching it back.

“He’s an honest guy, he’s normally a good performer, but he had a poor night.”