Lamps backs Terry appeal

Blues ace expects club captain to have City red rescinded

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 15th September 2008

john terry chelsea

Terry: Bemused by decision

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Frank Lampard remains confident that John Terry will line up for Chelsea against Manchester United next weekend.

The Blues skipper is set to miss the Stamford Bridge clash after being shown a straight red card against Manchester City on Sunday.

The England international was dismissed for hauling down City's Brazilian striker Jo on the halfway line.

Chelsea did appear to have at least two men in position to cut off Jo's route to goal, but referee Mark Halsey deemed the challenge to be worthy of a sending-off.

The Blues are set to appeal the decision, keen to have their inspirational leader available for the visit of the reigning Premier League champions on Sunday, live on Sky Sports 1.

Lampard certainly expects his team-mate to have the decision overturned and is hoping common sense will prevail.

Punished

"John Terry wants to play football. He wants to play against United and we need him as captain," said the midfield star.

"You shouldn't take that away for a challenge that's a standard yellow card. I've never seen a red card given for that sort of challenge.

"Hopefully they'll look at it again and make it a yellow. It's not a red when there's two men behind the ball.

"If not, we could miss him for three games. It's just a block-off challenge.

"It happened at the other end with Didier Drogba when there was a free-kick given against Richard Dunne. If that's the case, he should have punished him the same as JT, but he wasn't."