NEWPORT County AFC defender Dan Butler says "it's a masisve relief" to win the appeal against his red card at Notts County last week.

Butler was sent off for using "excessive force" when challenging for a high ball after referee Craig Hicks judged that he had caught Magpies defender Matt Tootle with an elbow.

The club submitted a wrongful dismissal claim and have now received confirmation from the FA that the claim will be upheld and Butler’s three-game suspension has been withdrawn.

This means the 23-year-old is able to play in Saturday's FA Cup clash with Walsall at Rodney Parade (kick-off 5.15pm).

"It's a massive relief," he said.

"I was gutted for the boys and for myself because I felt like it changed the game when I went off.

"It's common sense really, to jump high your arms do need to be at a certain level.

"If you throw an elbow at the same time then I agree that is a red card but I think you could clearly see there was no forced with my elbow.

"I just used my arms to get as high as I could to win the ball.

"I'm not going to comment on the referee but it definitely wasn't a red card and thankfully it's been taken away."