JACK ROSS hopes Max Power is not a marked man with referees this season.

The midfielder is available to face Barnsley at the Stadium of Light this evening, after the club’s appeal against his red card in Saturday’s draw at Walsall was rescinded.

Ross and the Black Cats lodged an appeal with the FA before yesterday’s 1pm deadline and a committee decreed the decision by referee Craig Hicks some 22 minutes into the weekend’s game.

Power was facing a five-game suspension after a third dismissal of the season, but it set to keep his spot in midfield tonight. He was also dismissed against Oxford and Bradford.

Speaking at the Academy of Light before the verdict was delivered, Ross said: “It’s difficult to say if being sent-off twice previously influences any decision. I think sometimes reactions can play a part in the perception of the challenge. I’ve seen a lot of crowding of officials and I think it can influence decision-making.

“I certainly don’t think previous reputation – saying that, he’s played over 200 games in his senior career without being sent-off – comes into it.

“Really it’s an incredible set of circumstances, but Saturday had to be separated from the other two.

“Max has experienced pressure games, he knows what it’s like to challenge and be successful. He can handle the expectation here and is committed.

“Maybe earlier in the season, for all of the players, we have to manage expectations and we have some tough challenges in this league. Other than being committed to go and win the ball and we have to have that in the game, there was nothing in the challenge.’’

He added: “It’s not great for Max, he understands the criticism coming his way. We all take a deep breath and see it is unjust and he had a five-game suspension hanging over him.

“Three red cards in six starts – but it takes something to knock him and that’s why I like him. He needed the appeal to work as this was a sore one for him.’’

Ross was only sent off twice during his playing career, once for Hartlepool United in an FA Cup tie with Brentford in 2005 – and he was successful in appealing the red card issued early in the game by referee Lee Mason.

The manager defended his player at the weekend and again yesterday: “My gut reaction at the time was that it was harsh – and after watching it back again it’s very easy to see it again quickly after the game and my reaction was the same.

“I’ve watched it from so many different angles and he was dismissed for serious foul play. Watching it back strengthens my view that it was not a straight red card.’’

It’s testimony to the spirit and unity in the squad this season that the Black Cats have yet to avoid defeat on the four occasions they have been left a man short because of a red card.

They trailed 2-0 on Saturday before a late point arrived thanks to Lyden Gooch’s leveller.

Ross added: “At the time, each and every game we have lost a man, I don’t feel the frustration at the time because it’s about quickly finding a way to get back in shape and win that game – and we have not lost any of them being a man down. That’s testament to the players.

“On the reverse of that it can’t become a regular theme and to have four red card offences in games so far is not great and in those games, could they have been turned into wins with a full team? You never know.

“It’s ironic as in terms of yellow cards this season we are nowhere near up the top in terms of bookings and we are not a physical team.

“We are probably one of the least physical teams in the league, but the red card figures pre-Christmas are not great.’’

And now he hopes the elation from the weekend can be carried into this evening’s game against a team one point and two places behind the Black Cats.

“As a squad we have shown the work we did pre-season, the intensity we train and the work the backroom staff do with them on a daily basis is good,’’ said Ross.

“How much they can push their body and they have showed they can push time and time again even with a man short. There’s no signs of fatigue.

“When the game finishes in the manner it did, then there’s a release of emotion – that’s why we are involved in football. We didn’t want a draw before the game, but circumstances see a release of emotion. They are positive and upbeat because to beat us this season then someone had to be really good.’’