Albion have decided not to appeal against an expensive red card for Inigo Calderon – on the advice of referees.

But boss Sami Hyypia believes Calderon has been harshly treated and his punishment does not fit his crime.

A three-match suspension for the Spanish right-back has been confirmed by the authorities after he was sent-off by ref Darren Bond in the closing stages of Wednesday’s Capital One Cup win at Burton for a high boot on Robbie Weir.

Hyypia told The Argus: “We’ve spoken with a few referees and they suggested we would not get it overturned. It’s a risk if you appeal and then get one more game.

“I find it a little bit silly that when you actually see the situation he made contact with the ball as well as the opponent.

“I am not saying it wasn’t a foul. It was a high boot but is it a red card? I'm not sure.

The Argus:

"I was thinking if we could find a way where he doesn't get three games, because if you break somebody's leg you get three games.

"In this case the player wasn't even hurt and it was purely accidental. It wasn't malicious. To get three games for that I think is a bit harsh."

Fellow Spaniard Bruno now faces a heavy workload in the absence of Calderon, who is banned from tomorrow's trip to table-topping Nottingham Forest, Tuesday's home game against Cardiff and the visit to Watford four days later.

Calderon will not be available again until after the international break against Middlesbrough at the Amex on October 18 but Hyypia does not expect his form to be affected by the extended lay-off.

He said: "I don't believe you lose rhythmn. If you train properly, as you would play, you get the rhythmn from that.

"Aaron Hughes is a good example. He hadn't played for a while, came on at Brentford for one half and and did well, played at Burton and did well.

"Of course, he is an experienced player but Calde is also experienced. It is a pity he misses the next three games and we have the international break as well but that's football."