HARRY Redknapp believes there could be grounds for an appeal if reports that Birmingham fielded an ineligible player against Saints last week are true, despite the Premier League sanctioning the move.

The player in question is on-loan striker Walter Pandiani, who opened the scoring in the ninth minute as the Blues went on to complete a 2-1 win over Saints at St Andrews.

Pandiani joined on transfer deadline late Monday but reports yesterday suggested the paperwork was not sealed until after the midnight deadline.

A Premier League spokesman apparently confirmed the move was finalised after the deadline but was sanctioned due to an error with the fax machine at their headquarters.

Redknapp has been on the receiving end of a similar experience when boss at West Ham.

He fielded an ineligible player against Aston Villa in the League Cup in 2000 and was ordered to replay the game and subsequently lost.

He said: "I played Manny Omoyinmi for a couple of minutes against Villa in the League Cup a few years ago - there isn't a great deal of difference.

"We had to replay the game because he'd already played for someone else. What's the difference this time?

"This could effectively decide who is relegated and who's not.

"He played against Man United and hit the bar. I wish the bloody ball had gone in and Birmingham had sneaked a point.

"If United's power was behind a protest as well, it would be very interesting."