LEEDS United boss Neil Redfearn takes his shell-shocked troops to Wolves tonight determined to put the farcical events of the last few days behind him.

Thursday’s mysterious suspension of his popular assistant Steve Thompson by Elland Road’s powers that be was owed by Saturday’s 3-0 home loss to Blackburn Rovers with Rudi Austin harshly sent off after a tangle with Ben Marshall in a match enveloped by rumours of a club takeover by Red Bull.

Redfearn was not happy about the 39th minute dismissal, which was awarded by referee Gary Sutton after consulting his assistant.

“The red card changed the game,” he said.

“I didn’t see it at the time but I have watched it back several times. We should appeal because it was a poor decision.”

It had been a even game until that point with Leeds playing some neat stuff without truly testing 19-year-old debutant goalkeeper David Raya while Blackburn looked dangerous despite having limited possession.

Ten-man Leeds held on until just after an hour when Giuseppe Bellusci’s error led to Tom Cairney’s opener.

Redfearn, needing a goal, made a double substitution but within minutes one of the new arrivals. Liam Cooper, gave the ball away and United’s overstretched defence was punished by Jordan Rhodes’ header.

Both goals should have been avoided and it was a similar story in the 80th minute when Bellusci’s failure to put in a routine tackle saw Jay Spearing complete the scoring.

For Rovers it was the perfect warm-up for Wednesday’s FA Cup quarter-final replay against Liverpool. For Leeds it was just another chapter in Elland Road’s comedy of errors.

Redfearn received the crowd’s vocal backing and vowed to put all thoughts about his own future aside until after today’s televised tea-time game at Molineux at the earliest.

“The most important thing was for me to concentrate on this game and then Monday’s for the sake of the players and supporters,” he said. “The fans were brilliant today, as they have been all season. They appreciate what we have achieved.”

Leeds United: Silvestri, Wootton (Antenucci 65), Bamba, Bellusci, Beradi (Cooper 65). Byram, Austin, Murphy, Mowatt, C Taylor, Morison (Sharph 85). Subs (not used): S Taylor, Dawson, Doukara, Phillips. Sent off: Austin. Cautions: Antenucci, Murphy, C Taylor

Blackburn Rovers: Raya, Henley (Taylor 58), Baptiste, Kilgallon, Olsson, Williamson, Spearing, Cairney, Marshall, Rhodes, Gestede (Brown 63 – O’Sullivan 80). Subs (not used): Steele, Spurr, Evans, Lenihan. Caution: Henley, Spearing Referee: Gary Sutton (Lincolnshire) Att: 25,293