Konchesky appeal rejected

Following his sending-off at Fulham last weekend, Paul Konchesky has had a claim for wrongful dismissal rejected by the Football Association, and will serve a one-match suspension for the match against Manchester City this weekend.

The 25-year-old defender was sent-off in the 85th minute at Craven Cottage following a challenge on Wayne Routledge - referee Chris Foy deeming him to have denied an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.

Hammers boss Alan Curbishley says: "We are disappointed that the sending-off has been upheld, as we felt Paul won the ball cleanly and fairly. Unfortunately, these appeals are very rarely successful, and we just have to deal with the situation.

"We now have two suspensions for Saturday, with Nigel Reo-Coker also banned, but it means that one or two other players will now get their chance to impress against Manchester City."

Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton has also had a claim for wrongful dismissal rejected, following a red card against Bolton last week, and so will miss the clash at Upton Park on Saturday.