Beye still 'devastated' by Styles' sending-off decision

Newcastle defender Habib Beye has protested his innocence over the tackle that may cost him his place in Saturday's derby against Sunderland.

The Magpies have launched an appeal against the 31-year-old Senegal international's 12th-minute dismissal for a challenge on Manchester City's Robinho during Monday's 2-2 draw at St James' Park. Referee Rob Styles awarded a penalty and swiftly produced the red card, although replays showed Beye had played the ball. The Football Association will look at the case tomorrow, but the defender insisted he had been cruelly punished.

Beye said: "I am devastated by the decision. I wouldn't have made the tackle if I didn't think I could have got the ball, and that's why I am so disappointed. It was my first game back for some time after my injury, and to be sent off so early is very disappointing."

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Beye's return from an Achilles problem represented a boost for the interim manager Joe Kinnear who saw his squad stage a spirited fightback, levelling through Shola Ameobi's 44th-minute strike and then edging their way in front when the City captain Richard Dunne put the ball into his own net 19 minutes after the break.

The big-spending visitors hit back with Stephen Ireland's 86th-minute equaliser to snatch a point, and Beye's disappointment at seeing victory snatched away was compounded by the knowledge he faces watching this weekend's derby from the sidelines.

He added: "I know how big this game is to the supporters. Fingers crossed, it will be overturned. But for me, Saturday is such a big game, not only for the fans who want us to win, but also for me because I would have been playing against one of my best friends in the game, Djibril Cissé."

Styles has already apologised to Bolton this season after awarding a penalty against Jlloyd Samuel for a challenge on Cristiano Ronaldo, having done the same last season after an incident involving Liverpool's Steve Finnan and Chelsea's Florent Malouda. But Styles' contribution served to mobilise the Toon Army as they roared their side on to a creditable performance and result.

Their appreciation extended to Ameobi who emerged from the wings to play a key role in a concerted response. The goal, his first in two years for the club, could hardly have been better timed. He said: "I was told it was two years and a few days to the last time I scored. It always plays on your mind when you are a striker. It was part of the problem for me – my confidence was down. It seemed to take four or five ricochets before it got to me and at times you need that bit of luck as a striker, which hasn't been there for me of late. In the changing room, we were all disappointed at the end. We felt we could have held out, but unfortunately that didn't happen."

Kinnear will hope for further boosts over the next couple of days with Jonas Gutierrez and Michael Owen both due to undergo scans on their respective injuries, with the Argentine perhaps a better bet to make the game at the Stadium of Light.

The midfielder Joey Barton was due to play in last night's reserve-team fixture at Middlesbrough after completing his six-match ban and could also figure on Wearside.