BLACKBURN Rovers striker Jay Bothroyd is set to be reprimanded by Mark Hughes following his sending off against Norwich City at the weekend.
Bothroyd was dismissed for violent conduct in the 44th minute of Saturday's 1-1 draw after aiming a retaliatory kick at Norwich's Mattias Jonson.
And though Hughes showed some sympathy for the player in public at Carrow Road, he's likely to be more damning when the pair meet up for training today.
"The last time we played at Norwich, I got sent off myself so I know these things can happen," said Hughes.
"I was just disappointed for Jay really because he had looked so lively.
"The two games he had been involved in, he had looked a real threat for us.
"He is a young lad and is trying to make an impact in the game and he had done up to the point where he was sent off.
"Now he is likely to miss a number of games for us which is disappointing."
Bothroyd - who faces a fine and a three game ban - became the fourth Blackburn player to be sent off this season when he kicked out wildly at Jonson as the pair contested possession by the corner flag.
The Rovers striker became angry after the Norwich player put in two separate challenges but his reaction left referee Steve Dunn with little choice other than to show him a red card.
"Jay has had a harsh lesson and he was feeling really bad in the dressing room after the game," said Hughes.
"His team-mates have helped the situation because we have come away with a point, but on another day we could have won that game."
Norwich looked set to record their first Premiership victory of the season when Mathias Svensson fired them into a 56th minute lead.
But Paul Dickov then salvaged a point for 10-man Rovers when he grabbed a priceless equaliser with just four minutes remaining.
"Two or three weeks ago we would not have been able to have put in a performance like that," added Hughes, who was delighted with the character shown by his side.
"We have come out from the disappointment of two 4-0 results and had a good performance against Liverpool, which has given us a bit more belief.
"We had a lot of belief (on Saturday) and showed a lot of character, which was what we needed in the circumstances.
"I am sure if we get our noses in front, we will be a very difficult team to beat, but at the moment we are just giving teams a foothold in the game and we have to come back into the match.
"But we are going in the right direction, I'm sure."
Meanwhile, Rovers are now on the look-out for a new reserve coach after Rob Kelly quit to become Craig Levein's number two at Leicester over the weekend.
Rovers' reserves travel to take on Birmingham City tonight (kick-off 7pm).
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