TONY Mowbray says there will have been ‘no malice’ in the tackle which saw Lewis Travis red carded in Rovers’ win at Portsmouth on Tuesday night.

The 20-year-old was sent off in injury time for a late challenge on Nathan Thompson, the first red card of his career.

Travis will now serve a three match suspension and miss matches against Bury, Walsall and AFC Wimbledon.

The Academy graduate had been brought on as part of a double change as Rovers switched formations following the injury to full-back Ryan Nyambe.

On the incident, boss Mowbray said: “First and foremost I know Lewis Travis and he’s a committed footballer.

“What I would say, as I said to the fourth official Travis wouldn’t go to try and hurt anyone but he’s a ferocious footballer, he wants to win every five-a-side, every tackle.

“I’m sure there would be no-one more upset than Lewis, he’s a young boy who has come through the Under-23s, got an opportunity and it’s sad for him.

“I do know that he doesn’t have the malice in his heart, he’s a good honest footballer trying to make his way in the game and tried to show his commitment with his enthusiasm and if it is a red card, there would be no malice in there.”