Tiatto forgiven for red card lunge

The fiery Australian had only been on the pitch a matter of minutes before a wild lunge on Thompson saw him get a straight red card, something that did not impress manager Kevin Keegan.

Tiatto was fined two week's wages and had his £1000 match fee withheld but the midfielder apologised for his conduct and that appears to have saved his Maine Road career.

"It pleased me when Danny came out the next day and apologised. He said the right things," Keegan told 'The Sun'. 

"He apologised to the player, his team-mates and the club and that was what I wanted to hear.

"I did not want the player thinking he was right when he was wrong. Had he done that, it would have been difficult to include him in my squad. Now I can say he does have a future at this club."

Tiatto is likely to be in the squad at West Ham as Keegan puts his faith in the left-sided schemer but will have to win his place back in the starting XI.

"If I had a full squad to choose from I would have a chat with Danny, leave him behind this weekend and let him stew for a bit. But I don't want to cut off my nose to spite my face," added the former England coach.

"If he stays in the squad it will only be because I have got injuries.

"That was his sixth sending-off since he's been here and that is a lot. He knows where he stands. He knows he has let me down and himself down.

"But I am not one to give up easily on players and I have put up with more than that in the past."