Robbo wins red card appeal
Albion were given a massive Black Country derby boost today when Paul Robinson's red card from Saturday's clash with Sunderland was rescinded.
The decision means the 28-year-old defender is cleared of suspension and is now free to face Wolves in Sunday's big promotion showdown.
Albion decided to appeal against the red card shown by referee Dermot Gallagher in the 87th minute after studying video evidence of the incident which prompted his dismissal.
Robinson was given his marching orders for a challenge on Sunderland's Liam Miller while the full-back was the last defender.
Had that been allowed to stand, Robinson would have been suspended for Sunday's clash with Wolves and Wednesday's home game against Crystal Palace – at a time when Albion are also without suspended striker Nathan Ellington.
But news came through this afternoon that Albion had won their appeal as all the club hierarchy were gathered at The Hawthorns for the formal opening of a new indoor facility by FA boss Brian Barwick.
Manager Tony Mowbray was among the official party and was visibly delighted with the bulletin from Soho Square as the official speeches were underway.
It solves a major problem for Mowbray as the left-back position is one which Albion struggled to cover when Robinson was last suspended following his previous dismissal in the game against Birmingham.
But Albion were always confident they had a good chance of winning their case after a detailed study of a video captured by a camera at the Smethwick End.