Derby County forward Martyn Waghorn has apologised for the tackle which saw him sent off against Nottingham Forest.
Waghorn was shown a straight red in stoppage time for a dreadful challenge which connected with the top of Ryan Yates' shin.
Derby's top scorer insists there was no malice in the tackle towards Yates, who was able to see out the game, which finished 1-1 when the Rams scored in the 97th minute.
Waghorn took to Twitter after the game to say sorry to his teammates.
Yates was already battered and bruised having come into the game wearing a mask to protect an existing injury to his face.
He need further treatment in the second half with blood pouring from his face, before he was smashed into by Waghorn.
Former Rangers and Ipswich player Waghorn will miss the next three games as the Rams look to complete a late charge into the play-offs.
Joe Lolley's 10th goal of the season gave Forest an early lead and they might have built on that after the break, Lewis Grabban firing over from 10 yards and substitute Tiago Silva rattling a post.
But Joe Worrall conceded a late free-kick in his own half and, after a fumble from away goalkeeper Brice Samba, Chris Martin bundled the ball over the line in the seventh minute of added time.
