Albion chief Steve Coppell will study video evidence today before deciding whether to appeal against Gary Hart's red card in the home defeat by Wimbledon or to punish him.

The errant striker's fate hinges on Coppell's examination of his clash off the ball with Norwegian defender Tord Andersen in Tuesday's 3-2 defeat by the Dons.

Referee Joe Ross told Coppell late on Tuesday night that Hart had been sent-off "for pushing his hand into a defender's face."

Coppell said: "I am the first one to say a footballer shouldn't raise his hands, but until I see the video I will reserve judgement.

"I told the referee you see that on a number of occasions and yet it gets completely ignored. Also, he took no action against Andersen who was clearly not hurt yet went down like a ton of bricks."

Hart faces a three-match ban for voiolent conduct. Coppell said: "We cannot afford to lose players. March is not so far away now and we have got seven games in what could be 24 or 25 days.

"It's going to be a really hard time and his suspension will go into March, so that is going to hurt us."

Hart returned to the starting line-up on Tuesday in place of the misfiring Graham Barrett.

"I felt I had to do something," Coppell explained. "It might have helped Graham just watching from the side and I think it will have re-invigorated Harty, because he's been very patient on the sidelines.

"Maybe his enthusiasm boiled over. I will watch it again."

Hart's automatic three-match ban will become four if he gets booked against either Wolves on Saturday or at Bradford a week later.

Hart has collected four cautions and a further yellow card in the next two outings would rule him out of next month's home clash against Rotherham as well.

A ban for five bookings does not apply after the home fixture with Millwall on February 22, which is when Hart's three-game punishment starts.