Clarification on FA rules around red card suspension facing Anthony Gordon after Dermot Gallagher's view

Anthony Gordon is almost certain to miss the Carabao Cup final for Newcastle United after the winger picked up a straight red card in the FA Cup defeat to Brighton.

The former Everton man lost his head in the 83rd minute as he was having his shirt pulled by Jan Paul van Hecke. Anthony Gordon went to push the Brighton defender away but in the heat of the moment caught van Hecke in the face and pushed him to the floor.

Referee Anthony Taylor wasted no time in getting the red card out of his pocket and, just as he did two years ago, sent off a Newcastle United player ahead of the Carabao Cup final. Cheers, Anthony.

On Sky Sports' Ref Watch, former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher said that he couldn't see the red card being overturned but hinted that Newcastle could appeal the length of the ban.

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Newcastle can appeal the decision but can't ask for a reduction for the ban

Were Newcastle to get the ban shortened from three games to one, Gordon would only miss next week's game against West Ham and would return for the final.

Unfortunately, it turns out that there is no avenue for Newcastle to appeal the length of the ban, so they either have to hope the red card is overturned completely or it's a three-game ban for Gordon.

We can't see any real way that Newcastle could spin it so that they could get Gordon's ban overturned when you look at where he made contact combined with the look on his face when he did it. It may not have been malicious, he may not even have meant to have hit van Hecke's head, but that's what happened.

At least we've got our Carabao Cup excuse nailed on

In one way, we've already got our excuses in for if we get beat in the final in just under a fortnight, but, let's be honest, as poor as Gordon has been lately, we really could have done with him on the field at Wembley.

It now remains to be seen how Eddie Howe will set out his side without Gordon. Whether Harvey Barnes slots in and takes up his role, or if he changes the shape entirely.

Now we've just got to hope and pray that there are no injuries in the group on the day and that Lewis Hall's ankle injury is not going to keep him out. We can't have our left side completely obliterated.