Kitson has pleaded with referee Rob Styles to look at his challenge again after spending just 37 seconds on the field as a substitute before he was sent packing.

Royals boss Steve Coppell has backed his man, even if he did admit the tackle probably did warrant dismissal, claiming Kitson is not a dirty player.

The view is apparently not shared by former Dutch star - and now TV pundit - Ruud Gullit, who became embroiled in a furious row with Kitson in the tunnel after the game.

And Evra too was not impressed at being the victim of such a tackle and insisted Kitson deserved the three-match ban now coming his way.

"I went to kick the ball and I just saw his foot coming towards me," recalled the France international.

"I don't understand why he did it. It was very bad. It is the right decision to send him off."

Unless Styles has an unexpected change of heart Kitson is now set to miss Wednesday's encounter with Chelsea, plus next weekend's home clash with Everton and the trip to Bolton on August 25.