PAUL Dickov has apologised for the challenge that led to his red card against West Ham on the opening day of the Premiership season.

The Scottish striker will miss three matches following his lunge at Paul Konchesky just nine minutes after he came on as a sub in the 3-1 defeat at Upton Park.

The incident came at the worse possible time for Rovers, who are now awaiting the results of yesterday's disciplinary hearing, when they were hauled before the FA to explain their poor record last season.

Any subsequent fines and punishment will be revealed later this week.

Dickov insists that he didn't make contact with Konchesky but he was still quick to say sorry to the defender following the first sending off of his career.

He said: "At the time I didn't think it was that bad but having looked at it again I have no excuses.

"I went straight in and apologised to Paul Konchesky afterwards. It is all very well being passionate and aggressive but I can't condone that.

"I didn't think I made contact but whether I did or I didn't, I went in with two feet off the ground."

Dickov won't be available for Rovers again until the televised home game with Bolton Wanderers on September 11.

But he is hoping to concentrate his efforts on international football and has joned up with the Scotland sqaud for tomorrow's friendly in Austira.

Dickov, who only has 10 caps to his name, is confident he can still make an impact for his country despite being just a couple months short of turning 33.

With club football out of the equation for almost a month, he knows he won't get a better chance to impress Scotland boss Walter Smith ahead of next month's World Cup double header with Italy and Norway.

He said: "I have never thought about quitting. I'm disappointed I don't have that many caps and I want to play for as long as I can at both club and international level.

"You always make yourself available and it is up to the manager to pick you. I will be the first one to hold my hand up if I can't do it.

"I will know myself because my game is basically about fitness. If that starts going then that will be it.

"Hopefully I will play here. I am not going to get any club football in the next few weeks so if I get selected on Wednesday it will be a chance for me.

"It would definitely give me a chance with the qualifiers coming up."