Defensive crisis encourages Manchester City to make Vincent Kompany appeal

Tackle on Arsenal's Jack Wilshere led to straight red card

Manchester City will learn by Tuesday night whether Vincent Kompany's red card, for his tackle on Arsenal's Jack Wilshere during the club's 2-0 win on Sunday, will be rescinded.

With Micah Richards' knee injury preventing his return before mid-February, much rests on the outcome for City, who are short of numbers at the back.

The Kompany issue will be taken out of referee Mike Dean's hands and will be for a three-man Football Association independent commission to decide whether the official made an "obvious error" in sending off Kompany, whom City manager Roberto Mancini would badly miss with only three central defenders currently available.

Dean judged that the challenge was two-footed so issued a red card to City's captain. City's appeal will be on the basis that Kompany's tackle was actually with one foot, as some replays show that his right boot was tucked behind his left calf. If unsuccessful Kompany will miss the League games against Fulham and QPR plus the FA Cup fourth-round tie against Stoke City or Crystal Palace.