West Ham to appeal Adrian red card for foul on Leicester striker Jamie Vardy

Adrian said it was unintentional

(Getty Images)

West Ham will appeal the red card given to goalkeeper Adrian in Saturday's defeat to Leicester.

The 28-year-old was sent off in stoppage time at Upton Park for a high boot into the chest of Jamie Vardy, having come up for a corner with the hosts chasing a late equaliser.

The Hammers went on to lose 2-1 and looked to be heading into their next three Barclays Premier League fixtures without their first-choice goalkeeper, but it is now understood that an appeal will be lodged to see any ban overturned.

West Ham boss Slaven Bilic was non-committal when asked about any potential appeal following the loss.

"I'm very disappointment [sic] that we had such important player sent off," he said at the time.

"The ref saw it as a red and it could have been seen as a red, what I can say is its obvious he didn't mean it to kick Vardy. He was just following the ball, he just wasn't aware enough, but it wasn't intentional."

Adrian himself took to Twitter to defend his actions and stated that he felt his actions did not warrant a red card from referee Anthony Taylor.

"Bad result today and worse end of the game. Never in my career I have kicked nobody with bad intention to deserve a red card...neither today!" he wrote.

If the club's appeal is ultimately unsuccessful, summer signing Darren Randolph would be the most likely replacement having deputised for much of the Europa League qualifying campaign.

But there may be competition in the form of ex-England goalkeeper Robert Green - who is reportedly close to returning to his former club from QPR.

PA