Andy Carroll's "stupid" red card could see him lose his West Ham place on a permanent basis to Javier Hernandez, says Tony Gale.
Carroll was booked after referee Stuart Attwell judged he led with his elbow in a challenge with James Tarkowski against Burnley on Saturday, and 99 seconds later he launched himself into another aerial challenge with Ben Mee, earning the third red card of his career.
West Ham were leading 1-0 when the sending off occurred but were eventually pegged back to 1-1 with five minutes remaining, and former Hammers defender Gale believes Carroll's ill-discipline could cost him his place in the starting line-up long term.
"It was a stupid challenge," Gale told Premier League Daily. "It's a shame for him because he's just getting back to fitness. He needs six games to get back to fitness, then bang he does that - he's out.
"All of a sudden West Ham might change the way they play, Hernandez goes up front, [Diafra] Sakho goes up front, he may not get back in the team."
Hernandez has been forced into a wide position by West Ham boss Slaven Bilic on occasions this season in order to accommodate Carroll, but Gale believes the summer signing could now take centre stage.
Asked why Hernandez has struggled to replicate his impressive goalscoring record at West Ham, Gale said: "He's playing out of position, simple.
"At Southampton he got two opportunist's goals in the six-yard area. That's where he's got to be because he sniffs out a chance like nobody in the Premier League.
"If you're looking at Hernandez up front, [Marko] Arnautovic one side, [Michail] Antonio the other and [Manuel] Lanzini in behind, you're looking at a lot of creativity there and maybe West Ham getting the performance they've been edging towards."