No Taylor appeal

Despite reports to the contrary, West Ham United have NOT appealed over the red card issued to Matt Taylor during last week's Championship clash with Southampton.

West Ham's number 14 was given a straight red by referee Lee Probert after he raised his hands to the Saints' Billy Sharp - seconds after United had been awarded a penalty following a foul on Mark Noble by the Southampton striker.

Sharp - who reacted angrily to the decision and charged towards West Ham's captain on the night - was pushed by Taylor before falling theatrically to the ground - the result of which being that Taylor was dismissed for the first time since moving to east London last July.

It was rumoured in the days following the game that West Ham were set to appeal against the decision after video footage suggested that Taylor had pushed the former Doncaster player in order to keep him from confronting Noble.

However KUMB.com understands that the club have decided NOT to appeal against the decision having reviewed the footage again, meaning that Taylor will sit out West Ham's next three games against Blackpool, Crystal Palace and Cardiff City.

Taylor was the second Hammer to receive a three-match ban in consecutive games following captain Kevin Nolan's dismissal in the 2-1 derby win against Millwall.

Nolan is set to return for the trip to Cardiff on Sunday, 4th March - a game later than initially planned due to the cancellation of the away fixture with Peterborough that was cancelled due to adverse weather conditions.