City must wait until tomorrow to find out if Donovan Ricketts' controversial red card in the 1-1 draw at Southend will be overturned.

The club put in a fast-track appeal to the Football Association after the Jamaican was dismissed for gesturing to the crowd amid claims that he was racially abused.

But the FA today told them the case will be heard in London tomorrow. It leaves City still unsure whether Ricketts will be able to play against Barnsley.

A home supporter was arrested by Essex police and charged with a

public order offence. No court date has yet been set although the man, who has not been named, has been given bail.

Ricketts faces a two-game ban, starting with tomorrow's FA Cup replay, if found guilty.

Referee Paul Armstrong confirmed: "An offensive gesture was made to the crowd by the player which necessitates a sending off."

But the club are confident that the goalkeeper did nothing wrong. Ricketts, who was also spoken to by police, insists he was only raising a finger to celebrate City's goal.

The match video captures an initial exchange between Ricketts and the supporters behind him but there is no footage of the specific incident.

Boss Colin Todd, who was sent to the stand after a clash with the fourth official, believes more must be done to clamp down on abusive comments from the crowd.

"Supporters can say what they want but as soon as we react, we are the ones punished," said Todd. "The abuse that Donovan was taking was outrageous.

"He is absolutely gutted about it because he hasn't really done anything to warrant being sent off.

"We are trying to stamp out racism in football but there is nobody to protect you from goading like that.

"We were on top in that game until the sending off. But we showed character and discipline to get a deserved point - and that feels like a win. This was a big, big point."

Dean Windass took over from Ricketts, who was dismissed before Southend could kick off after Steve Schumacher's opener.

Skipper David Wetherall said: "When we scored he just turned and gestured 1-0 but the linesman thought he put his middle finger up.

"I've never seen Donovan upset but being called things like that makes it very difficult not to have any reaction. Although I can't see what is wrong about gesturing 1-0 up."