Chris Powell has no complaints over the straight red card which left returning Huddersfield Town striker James Vaughan facing a three-match ban.
The 27-year-old, only just back from injury and on as a 73rd-minute substitute, was sent off in stoppage time as Powell’s side drew 0-0 at Ipswich Town to rise to 17th in the Championship.
Vaughan’s third red card while at the club was for throwing the ball in the face of Jonas Knudsen as the Danish international left-back apparently tried to delay a Town throw-in.
He will miss the Tuesday-night home clash with MK Dons and in all probability, Saturday’s visit of Derby County and the October 31 trip to Burnley.
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“We’ll await the referee’s report, but we know it’s a likely three-match ban, and the incident put a dark cloud on a decent day,” said Powell.
“It was a good performance, we kept a clean sheet and created chances. But James has been stupid and let himself down.”
Vaughan, who had made only one previous appearance this season, also as a substitute, wrote on Twitter: “Just want to apologise to all the boys, staff and fans for my sending off.
“I made a silly mistake that was not intended to be violent or aggressive.”
The injury-plagued former Norwich City player, already told he won’t get a new contract when his current deal ends at the end of the season, was set for a transfer-window move to Wigan Athletic.
But the deal fell through, and Powell said: “There’s been a lot of talk about will he stay or go, but he is still our player.
“He has worked hard to get fit again, and he has been good around the place and the group, and it was all there for him.
“With three games in eight days, this was a big chance for him, and I wanted to get him some minutes at Ipswich with a view to a possible start against MK Dons.
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“There was no need for what he did. We’re drawing away from home, there are only minutes left and it’s our ball.
“It could have cost us, but at least we managed to see out the final few minutes.
“Now James will have to start again and work to get back into the squad after his suspension.”
Town Under 21s take on Coventry City at PPG Canalside on Monday (1.00).
