James Shan has confirmed that Hal Robson-Kanu will serve a three-match ban and miss both legs of West Brom’s play-off semi-final showdown against Aston Villa, as well as the final if they make it to Wembley.
Robson-Kanu was sent off in Albion’s 3-1 defeat at Derby County on Sunday for kicking out at an opposing player.
The Express & Star had since reported that the Baggies were planning to launch an ‘excessive punishment’ appeal to the FA in the hope that his ban would be reduced by one or two games.
However BBC WM Sport have relayed what Shan said at his pre-match press conference on Thursday, and it appears as though West Brom have been unsuccessful in their appeal and the Wales international will miss the entirety of the play-offs.
#WBA Jimmy Shan confirms Hal Robson-Kanu is out of the play offs. Three game ban. #Baggies @WBA
— BBC Radio WM Sport (@sportbbcwm) May 9, 2019
OPINION
It was stupid of Robson-Kanu to get himself sent off in such a manner on Sunday and even though a three-match ban might be excessive for what was a light kick, he deserves it just for being so petulant. Shan should not expect that from one of the more senior players in the squad, who clearly just wanted to go for an early holiday or something and play no part in the upcoming play-offs. Even though Albion fans do not rate Robson-Kanu, the ex-Reading forward has been able to find the net against Norwich, Leeds United and semi-final opponents Aston Villa this season, so he is someone who knows how to step up on the big occasions. However Robson-Kanu’s flashes of quality are so few and far between that there is next to no point in keeping him on in the summer. This suspension proves that the Baggies are better off without the Welsh past the end of this season and Luke Dowling should look to offload him to the highest bidder – if they can attract any bidders.