JACK ROSS thinks “common sense” has prevailed after Alim Ozturk’s red card was overturned so he can now face Portsmouth in the play-off semi-final second leg on Thursday.

Ozturk was sent off for being the last man in Saturday’s first leg victory over Pompey for a challenge late as the Black Cats edged towards a 1-0 win at the Stadium of Light.

But Sunderland’s appeal against referee Andy Woolmer’s decision was successful and the Football Association confirmed on Monday afternoon that the defender can now play in the return leg.

Ross said: “Not surprised in terms of the decisions. I did think it was incorrect so I think common sense has prevailed in that respect.

“It was disappointing in the game but we just had to try to win the game where after.

“It was obvious when you have 25 minutes a man short, centre defender as well, you have to make a substitution. I don’t dwell on it too much, remiss to say you’d have scored again just because we had 11 men. Just glad we have him available.”

Sunderland will only have a major doubt about the availability of winger Aiden McGeady, who continues to be troubled with a foot problem that prevented him from playing in the first leg.

Ross added: “He is not any different than he was prior to the first leg, so we will wait and make a sensible decision.

“We will see what the right course of action is. Because of the relationship I have with him it is always a sensible conversation we have, you try to take as much of the emotion out of a decision as possible.

“There are tougher ones when there are players of equal ability fighting for a place, with Aiden we have been making the decisions for the last month or so we are well familiar with this situation.”