Cats wait on Breen appeal.

Byline: By James Hunter

Sunderland were hoping to hear later today whether skipper Gary Breen can play against Derby County tomorrow following his red card at Sheffield United in midweek.

The Black Cats have lodged an appeal against the dismissal, which came after Breen and Sheffield's Andy Gray were sent off in the 38th minute of the match.

Referee Mike Dean didn't see anything wrong but his assistant Martin Short called him over and told him that the players had been trading punches, which led to the Wirral official sending off both players for violent conduct ( to the bemusement of everyone else in the ground, who had also seen nothing more than the usual grappling that goes on at set-pieces in every game.

There was no video of the incident but the FA promised to try and consider the written evidence from both clubs ( Sheffield are also appealing against Gray's dismissal ( today.

If the FA clear Breen, or they cannot consider the appeal today, he will be able to play against Derby.

If they uphold the card today he will start his three-match ban this weekend, but if the appeal is heard next week and the card is upheld the ban will start with the home game against Millwall on October 16.

If Breen is unavailable, Neill Collins will partner Steve Caldwell in central defence.

Mick McCarthy said: "We have appealed, which I think is right bearing in mind that it seems that only one man in the ground has seen anything untoward.

"If we don't have an answer one way or another today, then Gary will be able to play.

"I think everyone was as bemused as I was at the decision because everyone knows that Gary Breen ( and Andy Gray ( just aren't the kind of players who would get involved in that."