Freddie Potts is sent off against Burton Albion.placeholder image
Freddie Potts is sent off against Burton Albion. | Getty Images
Nuno Espirito Santo will be without a West Ham midfielder against Bournemouth and Liverpool.
AFC Bournemouth and Liverpool will take on a West Ham side without the services of midfielder Freddie Potts after the 22-year-old was on the receiving end of a controversial red card on Saturday afternoon.
The Hammers went up against League One outfit Burton Albion and made hard work of picking up a 1-0 win at the Pirelli Stadium. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side needed to turn to in-form winger Crysencio Summerville from the bench with the forward finding the goal in the 95th minute with the cup tie going to extra time.
West Ham then made it harder for themselves when Potts received a red card just six minutes later. The midfielder tackled Burton man Julian Larsson in reckless fashion and was given his marching orders.
West Ham star sent off against Burton Albion
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former West Ham goalkeeper Rob Green said: “It was a nasty challenge. Potts immediately got up and reacted by apologising and checking the opponent was ok. Larsen crumpled to the floor under the weight of it. It looked like a two footed scissor challenge.”
There was controversy to the red card with referee Lewis Smith initially pulling out a yellow card from his pocket. The official then put the card away, checked on the Burton Albion player and upgraded his decision to a red.
Speaking on TNT Sports, Joe Cole said: “It’s clear he’s mistimed it. You see he [Potts] comes across, it looks clumsy form first glance. It’s one of them, if it’s a red he can’t complain, if it’s yellow you say he might be a tad fortunate. It’s closer to a red, I don’t think the referee he’s got it wrong.”
Freddie Potts to miss out against Bournemouth and Liverpool
Meanwhile, former Premier League defender Joleon Lescott added: “I don’t think it’s a bad decision from the referee. The fact he’s got a yellow card out and then puts it back in, I don’t like the look of that. I don’t know why that happens. Has he been told something different? Been influenced in any way?”
With FA Cup red cards carrying across to other competitions, it means that Potts will be absent for the visit of AFC Bournemouth on Saturday and the trip to Liverpool at the end of the month - as well as the trip to Fulham in March.
In other news, West Ham set for fatal transfer blow as January target on the verge of completing deal.
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