Sullivan fears appeal will fail

Tottenham goalkeeper Neil Sullivan fears he could still be hit with a ban following his red card against Newcastle on Tuesday because of remarks he made to referee Steve Bennett before he left the pitch.

The former Wimbledon goalkeeper was sent off for the second time this season when Bennett adjudged that he had brought down England midfielder Kieron Dyer.

Spurs have asked Bennett to review the incident on video but Sullivan believes that remarks he made to the referee before he left the pitch could have an adverse affect on the club's appeal.

The Scottish international said: "It was great to get back to winning against Newcastle but my game was overshadowed by the fact I got sent off at the start of the second half.

"I know I got some of the ball, so I was a little bit disappointed to be sent off. I'm not sure if the referee thought I got the player and the ball, or whether he just thought I got the player.

"Either way he felt it was a sending-off offence. This will be a great opportunity for the video ref to be put into use.

"But I had a couple of things to say to the referee in the heat of the incident and that might count against me. I will have to wait until I see his report.

"It is very hard not to say anything to the ref in those situation, especially when I know I got the ball on this occasion. There is always pressure on goalkeepers as the last line of defence."

Earlier this season, Barnsley official Stephen Lodge admitted he was wrong to send off Coventry goalkeeper Chris Kirkland when he appeared to trip Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink during their 6-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge.

Lodge felt his decision had been harsh and asked the Football Association's disciplinary commission to scrap it after looking at the incident on video.