Gillingham midfielder Tim Dieng faces six weeks out injured following tackle at Grimsby Town; Neil Harris contacts PGMOL over that and a dismissal for Ethan Coleman

Gillingham manager Neil Harris is waiting for answers over why a foul that left his midfielder in a knee brace only warranted a booking.

Tim Dieng faces six weeks on the sidelines after an injury-time challenge from Grimsby Town’s Danny Amos. It was a tackle that referee Adam Herczeg deemed worthy of a caution but one Harris felt was “dangerous and reckless.”

Harris has contacted the Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL) - the body that represents refereeing in England - for answers on that and why his own midfielder Ethan Coleman is currently serving a three-game ban for a debatable red card against Colchester.

The Gills boss said: “Tim Dieng is injured for six weeks because of the worst tackle I have seen this season and that was a yellow card. I am waiting for an answer from the PGMOL and whether I get an apology, or they take ownership in their mistakes, or what the rules are because I feel strongly about it.”

Dieng will be in a brace for three weeks after suffering medial collateral ligament (MCL) damage from the challenge. He’ll then expect to be out for another three weeks while he gets back up to speed.

“We are really lucky,” said the manager. “It is horrible to lose him and the tackle was dangerous and reckless. I am waiting for my answer from the referee’s body to tell me what their thoughts are.

“It was that bad a tackle that we are lucky it was only six weeks, we are delighted, Timmy is a relieved man. It could have been a lot worse.

“It might be slightly quicker, or slower, but the six weeks is the guideline and that’s a relief.”

Coleman, meanwhile, picked up a three-game ban for a red card against Colchester, late in the game. Harris doesn’t feel the challenge warranted a dismissal and the