Birmingham appeal over Devlin's suspension

Birmingham City are to appeal over Paul Devlin's three-match suspension.

He was sent off for kicking a Livingston player in a friendly last week.

Devlin was angry with the referee and admitted it had been a miserable week for him - he is one of five players to come down with a mystery illness.

He told Icons.com: ''I just cannot believe this is happening. If I never see referee Douglas McDonald again it will be too soon.

''I was sent off for kicking out at one of the Livingston players. I hold my hand up that I did flick my boot at him, but I definitely did not stamp on him as the linesman, who must have been 50 yards away, told the referee.

''It is ridiculous to be sent off in a pre-season friendly in the first place. All the referee had to do was have a word with the boss and he would have brought me off.

''What really annoys me is his insistence on reporting me to the FA, which would lead to the ban. Why he couldn't just apply a bit of common sense and leave it at the red card is unbelievable.

''But the club have already appealed about the decision and hopefully we can get the suspension overturned. I've seen the replays and they clearly show I didn't stamp on the guy which I hope will sway things in my favour.

''In fact, it's been a pretty miserable few days all round. It took us nine hours to get to Scotland because of roadworks on the M6, then there was the red card and now I'm one of five players to come down with a mystery illness which has seen me spending as much time in the toilet as on the training pitch.

''But apart from over-zealous referees, roadworks and retching, everything else is just brilliant!