Phil Parkinson insisted City “owed it” to David Syers to appeal his red card from the 3-1 home win over Shrewsbury.

The midfielder is allowed to feature against Rotherham at the Don Valley this afternoon.

And Parkinson is confident they can then clear his name with the Football Association and prevent a three-game ban.

Syers, making his first start since his serious knee injury in August, was dismissed for a second-half tackle on Nicky Wroe which referee Dean Mohareb deemed to be “overly aggressive”.

But City decided to fight it after watching the incident again on dvd.

Parkinson, who will include new loan signing Charlie Taylor against the Millers, said: “It’s not even a foul. Dave slides in and he wins the ball cleanly.

“He couldn’t have tackled any better if he tried.

“As soon as we saw it back, we had to appeal 100 per cent. We owe it to Dave to do that.”

Parkinson admitted he was planning to substitute Syers in the New Year’s Eve clash at Valley Parade when the 71st-minute incident happened.

“He was outstanding and I was absolutely delighted with him. What a great player he is.

“It’s enormous credit to Dave that he was still going strong but I was just going to bring him off and let him have a breather.”

Taylor, 18, has joined on a month’s loan from Leeds to fill the left-sided void left by Jack Compton’s departure.

The Falkirk winger hoped to be offered a permanent deal by the Bantams but they weren’t prepared to do that.

His five-month loan officially runs out after today’s game.

England under-19 international Taylor made his senior debut against City when he came off the bench during the Carling Cup tie at Elland Road.

He made his league debut against Crystal Palace in September and set up the opening goal in a 3-2 win.

Parkinson said: “I’ve watched him a few times for Leeds reserves and he also played in a game we had with them recently. He’s a good addition.

“With Reidy (Kyel Reid) being out, it gives us some fresh legs.”

Rotherham were the last side to beat City in the league in November. But after three straight wins, Parkinson predicts City will be a very different proposition.

“The lads are in a good place and this is another game we’re really looking forward to. We are going there with a stronger team.”

Parkinson is considering freshening things up for City’s second game in three days. Rotherham played on Friday.

Skipper Michael Flynn is still ruled out as he recovers from gastro-enteritis and will struggle to make the FA Cup trip to Watford. But Ricky Ravenhill is available again after serving his one-game ban.

Robbie Threlfall could also come into consideration after coming on as a substitute for the final minutes on Saturday.