Larne striker Andy Ryan is free to play Portadown tomorrow after the Irish FA overturned the straight red card he received at Windsor Park on Tuesday night.
The 30-year-old Scot was dismissed from the field of play just before half time for a challenge on Linfield midfielder Kyle McClean.
The Blues went on to win the showdown between the reigning Champions and the league leaders 1-0 courtesy of a controversial Kieran Offord goal in the second half.
Larne officials were furious about the decision, which was compounded when referee Shane Andrews reported Ryan after an exchange in the tunnel at half time.
Ryan was hit with a five game ban for a breach of Article 14.15 of the IFA Disciplinary Code which states; A player or official who is reported for unsporting conduct towards a match official will be sanctioned with a minimum 5 match standard suspension and a £100 fine imposed on the club.
This meant Larne were looking at their star striker missing eight games, three for the red card and five for the alleged exchange but the three-game ban has now been quashed and the five-match ban suspended until the appeal is heard next week.
Ryan has scored 36 goals in 58 appearances for Larne since joining from Hamilton in January 2023 and manager Gary Haveron will be relieved to have him available today as Paul O’Neill is suspended today after picking up five yellow cards.
Exciting young forward Matty Lusty is also unavailable and January signing Tiarnan O’Connor will face a late fitness test after suffering a knock on Tuesday night.
“Tiarnan took a bang on the hip and he was struggling”, said Haveron.
“We tried to give him five minutes to shake it off but he was in too much pain.
“It’s not something that will be long term and hopefully he will be available for today.
“Matty Lusty is a frustrating one, it came from an illness, it wasn’t an injury. He took a reaction to the illness and we hope to have him back soon.
“We’ve been light in the centre forward area. Dylan Sloan has played upfront a few times and I might stick him up there because he’s got an eye for goal.
“Paul O’Neill being suspended isn’t ideal either, we need to get him back playing.
“It’s really important that we have everyone fit and available but it’s no coincidence that we’re picking up knocks and niggles because we are playing two games a week, you’re going to get these things.
“However, it opens doors for younger players and people who haven’t been playing to get a game and grab the opportunity.”
Larne and Portadown both have 39 points in the Premiership, though the Invermen have four games in hand on their Mid Ulster hosts this evening.
The two teams played out a 1-1 draw at Inver Park two weeks ago then the Ports held Cliftonville to a 2-2 draw at Solitude last Sunday.