Darren Purse is now free to lead Cardiff in the FA Cup final

Cardiff City will have captain Darren Purse available for the FA Cup final against Portsmouth on 17 May after the defender's red card was overturned.

Purse was sent off in Saturday's 3-3 draw at Burnley for a challenge on Andy Cole that left the veteran striker needing 10 stitches in a leg wound.

But on Tuesday a Football Association of Wales disciplinary panel overturned the decision of referee Andy Hall.

That means Purse escapes what would have been an automatic three-match ban.

606: DEBATE What do you think of Darren Purse's ban escape?

He is now available for selection for Sunday's Championship game against Barnsley at Ninian Park.

But, more importantly, Purse should now be able to lead the Bluebirds out at Wembley in the FA Cup final - a game he would have missed had the suspension been upheld.

Cole had dubbed Purse a 'muppet' after the incident at Turf Moor, but Cardiff manager Dave Jones defended his player after the game.

"I thought the sending off was harsh. I'm not biased. I speak as a former defender," Jones said.

"It was not intentional. If we are coming down to things like that being a sending-off then every mis-timed tackle or everything we do is going to end up like that."