Three-game ban for Gregan

SEAN Gregan challenges Hartlepool United’s Joel Porter. The Athletic captain was sent off in the second half.

ATHLETIC will be missing inspirational captain Sean Gregan for the next three matches after his sending off against Hartlepool.

Club officials revealed today that no appeal is being planned against the straight red card, which came after 74 minutes of the 3-3 draw at Victoria Park.

Referee Tony Bates dismissed Gregan for serious foul play, an offence which carries the same penalty as violent conduct, after he brought down Hartlepool’s Ritchie Jones.

The ban starts immediately and Gregan will sit out Saturday’s game with Huddersfield at Boundary Park, followed by matches away to Stockport and at home to Hereford.

The defender has been a key man in Athletic’s rise to the top of League One, where they remained despite being held to an eventful weekend draw.

Athletic’s lead was cut to two points, with Scunthorpe and Leeds their nearest challengers, but three of their next four games are at home.

Gregan’s dismissal brought a debut for recent signing Ritchie Byrne, who slotted into the vacancy in central defence.

Byrne, who can also operate at left-back, gave a composed display for the last quarter-hour.

Athletic handed the ex-Aberdeen man a one-month contract after he impressed them on trial, and the deal is set to run out in around two weeks.

Byrne (26) isn’t the only possible replacement for Gregan as fellow defender Stefan Stam is now available after recovering from a groin strain.

Striker Lee Hughes, who had been a serious injury doubt, played for an hour against Hartlepool.

Meanwhile, season-ticket holders have until 5pm today to buy tickets for the derby match at Stockport on Friday week.

Tickets go on open sale tomorrow and are priced at £16 (uncovered seats behind the goal) and £18 (covered seats down the side), while over-65s and students pay £11 and under-16s pay £5.