Andrews facing two-match ban

Keith Andrews is facing the possibility of missing the Republic of Ireland's opening two games of the World Cup qualifiers following his red card in the 2-0 defeat to Italy.



Andrews failed to complete the full 90 minutes in Poznan after picking up two yellow cards, his second coming in the 89 minute just moments before Mario Balotelli fired home to make it 2-0.



An automatic one-match ban is the punishment for two yellow cards but Andrews' suspension could be doubled if the referee's report mentions his angry response to being sent off, which saw the midfielder kick the ball away in frustration as he made his way from the pitch.



"It wasn't ideal. I didn't think it was a yellow card," Andrews explained. "I thought he was unfair for the majority of the game, and I still don't think it was a yellow card.



"I don't think he forgot I'd been booked. I think he was more than sure that it was my second, to be perfectly honest."



Manager Giovanni Trapattoni had full sympathy for Andrews but accepted he was wrong to react in the way he did.



"I spoke with him. I said, yes, also there is already advice to not have this reaction," he is quoted as saying in the Irish Independent.



"We know before, this Euros, the referees, they are being serious. But he is a little angry. I understand why he is angry with this decision."



Andrews is set to miss the World Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan but he will also sit out the home tie against Germany if his suspension is doubled.