BLACKBURN Rovers today launched an appeal against Kevin Gallacher's dismissal in a red-card rumpus during Saturday's FA Cup draw against West Ham.

The Scottish striker was sent off during the first half of a dramatic tie, leaving 10-men Rovers to battle back for an Ewood replay on Wednesday week.

And if they win that, they will have another tough trip to London in the quarter finals to face Arsenal or Crystal Palace.

But proving Gallacher's innocence was the main thing on Rovers' minds today - if they fail, he will suffer a three-match suspension after referee Peter Jones decided he had elbowed West Ham's Eyal Berkovic in the face.

TV evidence disproved that and suggested there was little more than the usual tugging and arm-waving that goes on all the time, certainly no elbow.

A video and letter will be forwarded to the FA, who then view it before deciding whether to ask the referee to reconsider his decision.

It will take several days for the process to be completed.

Gallacher was staying silent but Rovers manager Roy Hodgson and his team-mates were only too ready to give him a character reference.

Chris Sutton said: "We all thought the challenge was very innocuous. Kevin is very disappointed and I think he has every right to be."

Like his counterpart Harry Redknapp, Hodgson did not see the incident - and that wasn't just manager-speak to avoid a verdict.

"I can only say that I know Gallacher well and he really is not the type of fellow who elbows people in the face," he said.

"What's more I didn't see too much blood on the field. "He said Berkovic was impeding him and he put his arm out to push him off.

"I didn't see the incident so I am playing the absolute sitter on the fence. But the players who were close to it have a very clear idea of what they thought went on and they weren't very happy about it."

It was a game which could have boiled over but Rovers cooled things down at half time, even though they were obviously upset at Berkovic's actions.

"I would like to think we sorted ourselves out because we were getting irritated on the bench as well with one or two things that were going on," Hodgson added.

"It wasn't just the players, the coaching staff needed a kick up the backside as well."

Rovers take on QPR at Loftus Road tonight, bidding for a place in the last eight of the FA Youth Cup.

Even though they have won away at Manchester United and West Ham, Rovers will start second favourites against a strong Rangers side.

Youth coach Rob Kelly was at Anfield to see QPR beat Liverpool and said: "They were the better side and are physically very strong. But we have done well this season and can be confident."

Winger Paul Forsyth faces a lengthy absence with a broken ankle. But, otherwise, Rovers hope to be at full strength.

They will choose from: Stewart, Richardson, Taylor, Brown, Murphy, McAvoy, Dunn, Scates, Ryan, Woodfield, Hamilton, Topley, Connolly, Hawe, Lomax, Bingham.

The winners will be away to Chelsea in the quarter finals.

Rovers B won 8-2 against Morecambe A on Saturday, Steve Foster and Jon Topley getting two goals each, with one apiece for Michael Lomax, Chris Whittle, Lee Hardy and Stuart Howson. Paddy Connolly scored in the A team's 1-1 draw with Liverpool.

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