TONY Mowbray has challenged Luke Moore to come back physically and mentally stronger after the first red card of his professional career in Saturday's 4-1 defeat by Leicester.

The on-loan Baggies striker was sent-off by referee Darren Deadman in the 35^th minute for serious foul play and is banned for the next three league games.

He will be forced to sit out the Charlton, Colchester and Cardiff clashes and, to compound his misery, is cup-tied for the following match - Albion's Wembley FA Cup semi-final against Portsmouth.

But the Hawthorns boss has urged Moore to make the most of his time out and be raring to go for the Baggies' away trip to Blackpool in three weeks' time.

"I'm sure our players will rally around him - that's what they do," said the Hawthorns boss.

"He will get on with it and spend a bit of time thinking.

"When he's back playing I'm sure he'll be giving everything for the cause to take us where we want to be.

"I'm sure it's a frustrating time for him but he'll get on with his training.

"Sometimes it gives you an opportunity to work even harder in training when you know there is no game at the weekend.

"He probably came here with his match sharpness and fitness not where he wants it and he's got a period now where he can work on that.

"You can always look for positives out of a negative."

Mowbray is refusing to 'lambast' Moore for his late challenge on Richard Stearman in a time he feels referees are all too eager to show the red card.

But he is not planning to appeal against the decision and insisted he will deal with Moore privately.

"It seems on every tackle referees come steaming over and can't wait to get the red card out," he added.

"It's a regular occurrence now.

"That's the climate we're in and it's very unlikely they're going to start overturning red cards willy-nilly.

"There are ways to handle situations and I'll hopefully handle the sending-off in the right manner, a manner that will benefit the football team, club and players.

"I got the feeling after the game people wanted me to lambast Luke Moore, suggesting he's the reason we lost - but that's not the case.

"You need to know the personality of the players and what they're like.

"I will handle it in my own way." 

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