Danny Haynes is convinced Bristol City team-mate Lewin Nyatanga will bounce back from his sending off against Watford.

City's Wales international defender received his marching orders after being shown a second yellow card by referee James Linington in this week's Christmas Bank Holiday fixture at Ashton Gate.

And Bristol City manager Gary Johnson described the former Derby player's actions as "unprofessional" after seeing City's 10 men surrender a 2-1 lead in time added on.

But Haynes knows exactly how Nyatanga feels after himself being red carded in a Carling Cup game at Brentford earlier this season – and he believes the experience will make the Welshman a stronger person.

"Lewin was pretty down after the game and he probably blames himself for what happened," said Haynes, who scored a spectacular opening goal for the Robins.

"I feel for Lewin – he's still young and he's learning and it's difficult and frustrating when you get sent off.

"But that's football and you have to get on with it and not let it get you down. You cannot put all of the blame on him, because it's a team game and there were still 10 of us out there who should have been able to hold out for the last 20 minutes. It's not one man who makes a team and we all have to take responsibility."

Haynes was dismissed at Griffin Park for lashing out at an opponent, but Bristol City went onto win the game 1-0 thanks to a Nicky Maynard goal. His teammates closed ranks and supported him following the incident and he insists they will do the same for Nyatanga.

He reasoned: "Lewin probably feels worse than I did, because at least we won that game and we've dropped two points in a match we should have won on this occasion.

"I know what it is like, because it was my own fault when I was sent off at Brentford and the dressing room can be a very lonely place after something like that.

"The other lads rallied round and looked after me and now we have to do the same for Lewin.

"We'll wrap him up in cotton wool and make sure he's right when he plays his next game."

Nyatanga will serve an automatic one-match suspension, ruling him out of Saturday's FA Cup third round clash with Severnside rivals Cardiff at Ashton Gate to leave manager Johnson short of defensive cover.

Johnson is still considering whether to recall on-loan Wales Under-21 defender Christian Ribeiro from League One Stockport. Much will depend on the fitness of James Wilson, who recently returned from a spell on loan at Brentford.

Wilson is recovering from an injury but could be fit enough by the weekend to sit on the bench and provide cover.