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 subsequent suspension, that the midfielder serves in League 2 and League Cup competitions.

He was free to play against Grimsby in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday night but will sit it out again on Saturday against Harrogate Town in League 2.

Harris said: “Neither red card (for the Grimsby player or Coleman) would have affected the result, we would have still lost to Colchester but we would have Ethan available to play when we need him in, and it wouldn’t have affected the result at Grimsby if they went down to 10 in injury-time, but we would be a lot clearer as to what the rules and regulations are.

“Ethan Coleman can’t play on Saturday again, for a decision that was never a red card.”

Tom Nichols, meanwhile, came off injured at Grimsby in the first half with bone bruising but could be fit for the weekend, while George Lapslie should also be available again, having missed out again in the midweek EFL Trophy match.

Harris said: “Tom Nichols had a scan and there’s no lasting damage. Saturday we will have to see, will that be too soon? It is bone bruising, so it becomes a movement issue and pain thresholds to be honest and he is a bit of a game lad Nico. It would be nice to have Nico available for this week, certainly next week.

“George Lapslie will hopefully be available this week, and Oli Hawkins and Dom Jefferies are certainly getting nearer as well. It is a lot more positive but we are going to have a lot of players missing this weekend, but it’s an opportunity for others.”