Stoke have confirmed they have lodged an appeal to the Football Association against Robert Huth's red card in Saturday's Barclays Premier League match against Sunderland.
The German defender received a straight red card from referee Martin Atkinson, following a tackle on Black Cats midfielder David Meyler just before half-time.
Stoke boss Tony Pulis had indicated afterwards he was likely to appeal against the sending off and suggested play-acting by Meyler contributed to the dismissal.
Sunderland won the match 1-0 with a goal on the hour mark from winger James McClean.
Potters defender Jonathan Woodgate is confident Atkinson will admit his mistake in red-carding Huth.
"I never thought it was a sending off in a million years to be honest with you, and having spoken to Huthy in the dressing room, neither did he," he told his club's official website, www.stokecityfc.com, before news of the appeal was announced.
"He was in full control of his body when he went in for the tackle; there was no malice there whatsoever, and in fact, I actually think he pulled his feet away from the ball to make sure he doesn't touch the lad.
"But I am sure that if we make an appeal, then the referee will admit that he got that certain decision wrong - although that won't help change the result."
