SHANE Long has accused referee Andy Haines of being swayed by Derby County fans as the Royals striker begins a three-match ban by missing Saturday's trip to Sheffield Wednesday (3pm ko).

Republic of Ireland international Long was sent off for serious foul play following a late challenge on Rams full-back Fredrik Stoor in the 80th minute of last weekend's incident-packed 2-1 defeat at Pride Park.

Long was shown a straight red by Tyne and Wear official Haines and will miss the clash at Hillsborough as well as back-to-back home games against Crystal Palace next Tuesday night (8pm ko) and Scunthorpe United the following Saturday.

And the 24-year-old forward, who was returning from injury, could not hide his frustration at the prospect of missing another three matches.

Long also insists it was he who was being constantly fouled moments before the red mist descended.

"I've seen the replays and it was a blatant free-kick (against Stoor)," insisted Long. "Maybe the ref could see I was getting a bit frustrated. I was being kicked but getting nothing for it.

"It may have looked like I was getting my own back but it wasn't like that at all. I was trying to block the clearance and I thought I could get there. I missed it by milliseconds and even their player said I was unlucky.

"I thought the referee went by the fans' reaction and sent me off. I thought there were worse tackles in the game. Ivar Ingimarsson got one in the first-half that was much worse."

And he also admitted: "I felt fit and lively and to be out for the next three games isn't nice.

"I will just have to get myself ready for the Christmas period, come back with a bang and get us a few goals.

"I apologised to the lads in the dressing room after the game and I thought they were unlucky not to get an equaliser.

"We're a bit more disappointed with losing a 1-0 lead than anything that went on afterwards. Hopefully we will learn from this so when we do go in front we kill off teams."

Gylfi Sigurdsson fired Royals ahead in the 56th minute but Derby's Paul Green equalsied four minutes later before Rob Hulse netted the winner in the 74th minute.

Brendan Rodgers' side were dealt a further blow when Brian Howard suffered a broken jaw following an accidental collision just 10 minutes into the game.

The central midfielder had an operation to wire his jaw back together on Monday and he will be out for around six weeks and will wear a protective mask when he returns.

Reading players were also sickened by the actions of Derby mascot `Rammie the Ram' who accused Howard of feigning injury.

"It was disgraceful," blasted long. "Brian could have broken his neck for all he knew and he was next to him tapping the ground and telling Brian to get up.

"I think a lot of players wanted to go over there and smash him. He went over the top."

The Derby loss ended Reading's three-match unbeaten run and they are now 21st in the table, one point behind The Owls who have not won in six games and were battered 4-0 by West Brom at Hillsborough last weekend.