HERMANN Hreidarsson's red card will stand, writes Derek Davis.The Icelander must now serve a three-match ban after referee Clive Wilkes refused to change his mind even though he did study the video of the incident.

HERMANN Hreidarsson's red card will stand, writes Derek Davis.

The Icelander must now serve a three-match ban after referee Clive Wilkes refused to change his mind even though he did study the video of the incident.

Hreidarsson, who was making his 100th league appearance for Ipswich, was dismissed in the 50th minute of the defeat at Bradford after catching Simon Francis in the face with an open hand.

He vehemently claimed it was accidental but the Gloucester official has stood by his original decision and will report the defender for violent conduct.

Hreidarsson will miss the trip to Crystal Palace, unless they pull off a shock FA Cup replay win at Anfield against Liverpool and reach the fifth round which is due to be played on February 15.

He will also sit out the home games against Wolves and Grimsby, and Norwich City at Carrow Road, if the Palace game is called off.

The Icelander also faces a maximum fine of two weeks' wages for the dismissal, although the board will ratify that at their next meeting unless extenuating circumstances can be found.

Blues boss Joe Royle said: "Mr Wilkes has called to say he won't be changing his mind. Hermann will miss three big games so let us hope he does well against Sheffield United on Saturday before starting his ban."

Town face a Sheffield United side buoyed by a fabulous January which earned Neil Warnock the manager of the month award.

Warnock had joked he would have to win nine games out of eight to be considered but his side's performances over two legs with Liverpool in the Worthington Cup, and against derby rivals Sheffield Wednesday in the league and Ipswich in the FA Cup led to the award.

Ironically, their 11-match unbeaten run ended at Millwall on Saturday – usually the award jinxes managers for the game after the announcement.

Warnock said: "I'm chuffed to bits. It is funny how things work out. I suppose this had to happen immediately after we lost. But most people who win it seem to lose their next game, so hopefully, I have got that one out of the way."

United were further boosted when Newcastle United allowed loanee Wayne Quinn to extend his stay with the Blades by at least another fortnight.

n RISING Ipswich Town star Dean Bowditch has been selected for the England Under-17 squad who face Greece in a friendly later this month. Dean follows in the footsteps of his brother Ben, who made four appearances for the national Under-17 side.