FABRICIO COLOCCINI is still seething about the red card which he feels cost Newcastle United dearly at the Stadium of Light on Sunday.

The Argentine defender’s appeal against his dismissal was successful on Tuesday when the Football Association overturned referee Robert Madley’s decision.

It means Coloccini is available to face Stoke City at St James’ Park on Saturday, when he could have been sat in the stands watching the action unfold serving a suspension.

Despite the FA’s ruling, the 33-year-old is still not satisfied because he is certain that it cost Newcastle a positive result at Sunderland.

Coloccini said: “The red card affected the game and the result, which was very painful for everyone in the club and the city.

“We lost the game, we lost three points and we lost the derby. We cannot get that back, and that is why I cannot be too happy about winning the appeal - it does not change these things.

“As soon as the referee gave the red card, I knew it was wrong.I spoke with the referee but he had made his decision.”

The Wear-Tyne derby was goalless when Coloccini shoulder barged Sunderland striker Steven Fletcher in the penalty area before goalkeeper Rob Elliot gathered the ball.

There is an argument that it was a foul, while debate has still raged as to whether it was an offence worthy of being deemed a professional foul. The FA’s ruling has cleared that up, but Newcastle had to play the remainder of the game with ten men.

Adam Johnson struck the resultant penalty to put Sunderland ahead and then Billy Jones and Fletcher added goals after half-time to seal the comfortable win – despite an encouraging display from the Magpies.

And Coloccini, whose side have still only one win to show from ten Premier League games, told the club’s website: “It is justice (that the appeal was successful). It is not a surprise to me that the red card was overturned because it was a wrong decision.

“I am happy because I am able to play against Stoke, but it does not change what happened on Sunday.

“The red card affected the game and the result, which was very painful for everyone in the club and the city.

“We lost the game, we lost three points and we lost the derby. We cannot get that back, and that is why I cannot be too happy about winning the appeal - it does not change these things.

“As soon as the referee gave the red card, I knew it was wrong. I spoke with the referee but he had made his decision.”