Dean Smith ponders appeal for Walsall FC skipper Andy Butler

The Saddlers skipper was shown a straight red card in Saturday's shock 3-0 defeat at the Banks's and is set to miss Friday's key trip to play-off rivals Peterborough courtesy of a one-match ban.

Butler was sent-off by referee James Linington when he brought down Izale McLeod and conceded the 44th-minute spot-kick which allowed Ben Reeves to put the visitors two goals up.

Smith felt the decision to dismiss his captain was harsh and spent yesterday viewing video evidence to decide whether to make an appeal. He has until the end of today to make up his mind.

The Saddlers successfully overturned the Butler's dismissal at Leyton Orient earlier in the season but Saturday's would seem a far tougher one. Smith may well choose to accept losing his skipper for just one game, rather than risk the ban being increased if an FA panel were to deem the appeal frivolous.

Butler would be a huge miss in what has become a crucial game against the Posh, who moved above them and into sixth spot courtesy of their 2-1 win at Leyton Orient.

But Smith is still expecting a much-improved performance from his players after lambasting their first-half display against the Dons. When asked if his side can bounce back, he said: "That is what we are about. We can't change anything that has happened now. We always talk to the players and say the most important thing is what you do next. "

Two goals from McLeod, either side of Reeves' penalty, helped the Dons to victory while the Saddlers misery was compounded when new boy Michael Ngoo had a late penalty saved.