Dean Kiely has backed Scott Carson to return from suspension a better player after his red card for violent conduct against Cardiff City. The experienced Kiely – Albion’s goalkeeping coach – believes the England international will learn from his mistake and help the Baggies’ promotion push on his return.
Carson, Albion’s captain since the start of the season, saw red after clashing heads with Michael Chopra eight minutes from time and will now miss games against QPR, Blackpool and Peterborough.
“I didn’t see much else other than the ref showing the red card,” said Kiely who saved the resulting spot-kick but was powerless to stop Peter Whittington score the rebound.
“I feel for Scott. He is a professional player who wants to win every time he takes to the pitch and last night was no different. At least people have got some fire in their belly.
“In this promotion challenge there will be times when we play silky football and pass people to death and there will be times when we have to roll our sleeves up and get down and dirty and into a battle.
“Knowing Scott as I do, do I think it will happen again? I don’t think so.
“Good players and good people learn from previous experiences so I don’t envisage that to happen in the future.”