Mags mull over appeal on red cards

Newcastle United are considering appealing the red cards shown to Jonjo Shelvey and Paul Dummett.

Shelvey and Dummett were controversially sent off in Friday night’s 2-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest for separate incidents involving Henri Lansbury at the City Ground.

Magpie manager Rafa Benitez – whose side lead the Championship by a point ahead of this Saturday’s home game against Birmingham City – was furious at Lansbury, who he felt had been play-acting.

Shelvey was shown a red card after reacting to provocation from Lansbury, while Dummett was sent off after the goalbound midfielder took a tumble under a challenge from him.

Referee Stephen Martin also awarded penalties against Newcastle for the first-half incidents. Both spot kicks were saved by goalkeeper Karl Darlow on his return to the City Ground.

Forest scored twice against the nine-man Tynesiders – who led through a 45th-minute Matt Ritchie goal – in the second half.

Benitez suggested that the club wouldn’t appeal either red card after the Championship match, but the club has been considering its options.

And Newcastle could yet contest one or both of the dismissals.

Shelvey will miss the next three games – Birmingham, Wigan and Burton – through suspension, while Dummett has picked up a one-match ban.