Jack Ross is not dwelling on the what-might-have-beens of Alim Ozturk's play-off semi-final red card – just pleased to have the centre-back available for Thursday's return.
Ozturk was sent off midway through the second half at the Stadium of Light for denying what referee Andy Woolmer saw as a clear goalscoring opportunity, but which Sunderland persuaded an appeal panel was not.
It means Ozturk will be available to play at Fratton Park on Thursday.
But although his side held on to win the first leg 1-0, the tie remains very much in the balance. Perhaps with 11 men for the full game, they could have headed south with a more decisive cushion.
“It’s very obvious that it does change the game,” said Jack Ross. “When you get a red card, to a centre-back as well, you have to make a change and lose one of your attacking players (Lynden Gooch was substituted) and adjust your system accordingly.
“I don’t dwell on it too much because it would be remiss to say that just because we still have 11 men on the park we would score again. You can’t know how the rest of the game would have panned out.
“We can’t dwell on it and we’re just glad that we will have him available for the second leg.
“I said post-match I thought it was an incorrect decision, so I’m pleased common sense has prevailed in that sense.
“It’s disappointing because it of course does have an impact on the game. But we can’t do anything about it, you can’t affect that decision - from then on it just became about us making sure we won the game from there on after.”
It means that if Aiden McGeady is passed fit to play after a broken foot, Ross could have a fully fit squad to choose from. A decision will have to be made about whether Duncan Watmore can return from a hamstring injury to play a part from the bench.
The winners face Charlton Athletic or Doncaster Rovers at Wembley on May 26 for the right to play in next season's Championship.
Portsmouth vs Sunderland: How you can follow play-off second leg, is it on TV?
