WIGAN MANAGER Steve Bruce is to appeal against the red card handed out to Jason Koumas after just four minutes of his side's 1-0 win over relegation rivals Bolton at the JJB Stadium yesterday.

Koumas faces a three-match ban after catching Wanderers centre-back Gary Cahill in a challenge for a 50-50 ball, after which referee Steve Tanner quickly reached for his pocket.

Ten-man Wigan went on to take the lead in the 34th minute, with Emile Heskey scoring his first goal for seven months, ending a 20-match drought with a hooked right-foot volley.

Wigan were fortunate not to be reduced to nine men and concede a penalty when Michael Brown clearly handled a Kevin Davies header on the line. However, Tanner missed that incident.