Sheffield Wednesday are set to lodge an appeal to get Massimo Luongo’s red card overturned in time for their FA Cup clash against QPR at the weekend.

The Owls were thumped 5-0 at home to Blackburn at the weekend but the result was largely down to the 23rd-minute dismissal of central midfielder Massimo Luongo following a challenge on Rovers midfielder Lewis Travis.

The Australian international was deemed to have stamped on the Rovers player following him sliding into a challenge in the middle of the pitch.

Wednesday were 1-0 down already at this point but the sending off put them at complete odds and saw the visitors run riot with another four goals making it an afternoon to forget for Garry Monk’s side.

The red card would see him suspended for the next three Wednesday games, but the Sheffield Star are now reporting that the Owls are to lodge an appeal to get this decision overturned in the hope that Luongo can be available for the weekend’s fixture.

Garry Monk’s side face QPR in the FA Cup Fourth Round on Friday night after their shock result against Brighton in the previous round. Their appeal was more or less confirmed immediately after the game when Luongo had this to say on the challenge to the Star: “I’m confident the decision will be rescinded.

“There was no malice at all in the challenge.

“We’re obviously appealing it and I don’t want to say too much more [at this stage].”

Can you name the last 12 Sheffield Wednesday No.9s?

The verdict

Luongo has been an important part to Garry Monk’s side this season and especially in recent weeks, with solid performances in the middle of midfield against both Brighton and Leeds United.

There is surely no doubt that Luongo will have this ban overturned after seemingly making an innocuous of Lewis Travis which there was certainly no malicious intent involved.

If the ban is overturned, he will be set to start for the fourth game in a row as the Owls make the trip to the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium on Friday night, and will have to make up for lost time following his controversial dismissal.

The frustration will still remain at Hillsborough even if it is overturned because that red card went a long way to causing their humiliation at the hands of Blackburn, and that cannot be reversed.