WORCESTER City manager Carl Heeley says Shabir Khan can expect his full support after the defender was sent off against Stockport County.

The left-back was shown a red card with a minute to go of Saturday’s 2-0 victory after reacting to a high tackle from Charlie Russell by body-slamming his aggressor, who was booked for the challenge.

While not condoning Shabir’s actions, Heeley said he understood the reaction, which also led to a mass brawl and will see the City player hit with a three-game ban.

Heeley said: “I’m not going to dig a player out for that tackle because if I had been there it would have been worse than that because it was an awful tackle.

“It’s frustration from their player and frustration from my player but he (Russell) has tried to smash him into the stand. Although I can’t excuse it, I can understand his reaction so he’ll get a full defence from me.”

He continued: “It’s disappointing but it’s an emotional game, you want to do well and he (Russell) could have seriously hurt him.

“I’m just fortunate that Shab hasn’t got a serious injury. He’s a young lad and hopefully he’ll learn from that. It doesn’t excuse Shab’s reaction but let’s focus on a 2-0 win.”

Heeley was full of praise for his players, not least Dean Waldron after the academy midfielder, who started the Worcestershire FA Senior Cup win at Redditch United, was handed his Conference North debut in place of Danny Jackman.

The Worcester boss said: “Danny had been doing a physical training course in the week and he was honest enough to say he was feeling a bit tired.

“Dean is full of energy, I had the faith to play him and I thought he did superbly well. He’s got to bulk out but he’s got good attributes, energy levels, listens and does the simple things. I thought he was excellent.”

Micah Evans set up Sean Geddes for City’s second goal but fellow Southport loanee Johnny Lynch was rested.

Heeley explained: “When you get fresh faces in with new ideas, it does give you a lift.

“I didn’t start Lynchy because he’s had two tough games and I wanted, psychologically, to get Shab through another 90 minutes and we nearly got there.”