Hammers won't appeal Nolan red

Allardyce hopes he has the squad to compensate for skipper

Last Updated: February 6, 2012 12:41pm

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Kevin Nolan: West Ham captain will serve a three-game ban after being sent off against Millwall

Sky Bet

Sam Allardyce has confirmed West Ham United will not appeal against the red card shown to captain Kevin Nolan against Millwall on Saturday.

Nolan was dismissed after just nine minutes following a two-footed challenge on Jack Smith, but the Hammers overcame the setback to beat their London rivals 2-1.

Allardyce felt referee Mike Jones had made a 'poor decision' to dismiss Nolan and that it was 'harsh' on the midfielder.

However, Allardyce has accepted he will now be without his skipper for the next three games after admitting the Football Association would be unlikely to rescind the red card.

"It would be frivolous because they won't change their mind, there are far too many instructions going out to referees today," said Allardyce.

"We have got the squad to hopefully compensate now, we'll get someone to fill in.

"We didn't do badly without him with 10 men so we should make sure we do all right without him with 11."