BLACKBURN boss Mark Hughes believes justice was done after Zurab Khizanishvili had his red card overturned by the FA.
The Georgian international was controversially sent off by Bolton referee Mark Halsey following a challenge on Liverpool's Djibril Cisse during Saturday's game at Anfield.
That decision meant Rovers were forced to play for nearly an hour with 10 men and Liverpool made the most of their numerical advantage by securing a 1-0 win courtesy of Cisse's late winner.
But Rovers subsequently appealed against Khizanishvili's dismissal and that was upheld by the FA's disciplinary commission yesterday, which means the on-loan Rangers defender will be available for Saturday's clash with Birmingham City.
While that decision acted as some form of consolation for Hughes, the Rovers chief was also left to rue what might have been.
"It is good news in a bitter-sweet kind of way," he said.
"Obviously we are delighted that it means our appeal has been upheld as Zura is now free to play (against Birmingham), but it also leaves you wondering what might have happened on the day (had he not been sent off)."
At 5pm on Saturday, Hughes feared he would be without both Khizanishvili and Andy Todd for the visit of Birmingham.
Todd picked up a knock during the 1-0 defeat to Liverpool and actually left Anfield with his foot in a pot.
However, the injury has since responded to training and Todd was deemed fit enough to join in training yesterday so he should be okay to take his place in the squad at the weekend.
Another player who is hoping to put himself in contention is David Thompson, who is on the comeback trail after five months out with knee and ankle problems respectively.
Thompson has made two appearances in the reserves during the space of the last fortnight and he could be in line for another run-out tonight when Glyn Hodges' side take on Wolves at Morecambe's Christie Park (kick off 7pm).
If Thompson comes through that game unscathed then he may well put himself in the frame for a place on the bench on Saturday.
