West Brom boss Gary Megson has defended midfielder Andy Johnson after his sending-off at Leeds.

Johnson was shown a second yellow card at Elland Road for dissent when referee Uriah Rennie failed to award a penalty to the visitors.

Lucas Radebe appeared to handle the ball in the 74th minute of a goalless draw.

I know if called upon he would not let anybody down Megson on keeper Russell Hoult

But, instead of West Brom earning a spot-kick, Rennie gave a free-kick to Leeds for a Lee Hughes push on the home defender.

Megson said: "Uriah says he was called something and if he's right and he heard right then Andy has no defence and he deserved to be sent off.

"We are talking about swear words and you cannot call referees what he apparently said, but Andy says he didn't use those words."

West Brom keeper Russell Hoult furthered his claims for an England call up with his performance in the game.

And Megson added: "I know if called upon he would not let anybody down."

He needs his sharpness and he needs to do it regularly over 90 minutes Leeds boss Venables on Fowler

Leeds manager Terry Venables had Robbie Fowler available after the striker turned down a move to Manchester City.

But Fowler only came on after 79 minutes with Leeds unable to break down the Baggies defence and Venables was left to explain his decision.

"I was tempted to put him on earlier, but what you've got to remember is there's no point in putting people on for the wrong reasons," said Venables.

"He hasn't trained all week and because of that and given the fact he has been here, there and everywhere and having medicals, I could have decided to have rested him.

"You can look at it both ways, but you make a decision and you stick with it.

"I know he will be an asset for us over the next few months, but he needs his sharpness and he needs to do it regularly over 90 minutes, although he is not that far away."