Sunderland have announced that Yann M'Vila is available to make his debut this weekend despite receiving a red card for a head-butt for the club's under-21 side.
M'Vila joined Sunderland on a season-long loan from Rubin Kazan last week and made his first appearance for the club on Sunday as the U21 side beat Norwich 3-1, but the midfielder was shown a red card for a head-butt on Norwich striker Jamar Loza.
Sensation as #safc new boy Yann M'Vila is sent off for a headbutt on debut for U21s http://t.co/3LuTWNr08R pic.twitter.com/OC3bGVUZHx
- Sunderland Echo SAFC (@sunechosafc) August 9, 2015
However, the club announced on their official website that he is eligible for selection in Saturday's Premier League game at home to Norwich, saying in a statement: "Any sanction applies to the U21 competition only."
Sunderland development coach Robbie Stockdale said he was disappointed with M'Vila's actions after a promising performance.
"It's his first game back and he wants to make an impression," he said in the Sunderland Echo.
"He's seen his teammate thrown to the floor -- which I thought the referee could have controlled better -- and he was a little bit daft.
"It's a shame because he was doing OK and I was just about to take him off, but it was a bit daft."