RUDY GESTEDE will be available for Saturday’s home game with Reading after Middlesbrough mounted a successful appeal against his dismissal in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Norwich City.

Referee Mike Jones issued Gestede with a straight red card in the first half at Carrow Road, after the striker slid in to challenge former Newcastle United defender Grant Hanley.

Gestede went in with both feet as he looked to nick the ball ahead of Hanley, but his studs were not raised and he made contact with some of the ball before catching the Norwich centre-half. Hanley appeared to pull out of the challenge, and his movement meant it was impossible for Gestede to avoid making contact with him.

Tony Pulis was incensed with Jones’ decision to issue a red card, and was fully behind Boro’s submission of a formal appeal to the Football Association.

The Teessiders submitted video evidence from a number of different angles to support their appeal, and an FA disciplinary commission ruled in their favour. As a result, Gestede is no longer unavailable for Saturday’s game with Reading, and the following matches against Cardiff City and Hull City.

An FA statement said: “Middlesbrough’s Rudy Gestede has successfully appealed his sending off against Norwich City on Saturday.

“An Independent Regulatory Commission agreed it was not serious foul play and, therefore, the player will not serve any suspension.”

Meanwhile, former Boro boss Garry Monk is one of the contenders to take over at Championship strugglers Barnsley.

The Tykes are looking for a new manager after Paul Heckingbottom left Oakwell to take over at Leeds United, and Monk is understood to be interested in the post.

The former Leeds and Swansea boss has been out of work since he was dismissed from his former position in charge of Boro on December 23.