Liam Moore is set to return to the Leicester City starting line-up for their Premier League clash with Aston Villa on Sunday in place of the suspended Wes Morgan.
The City captain was given his marching orders in the 3-1 defeat to Liverpool on Tuesday night for a foul on striker Rickie Lambert.
Morgan has been handed a one-game ban, which City have not appealed, ruling him out of the trip to Villa Park.
Moore was all set to go on following Morgan's dismissal on Tuesday night but, despite the fourth official's board going up to signal the change with him on the touchline, manager Nigel Pearson halted the switch at the final moment.
It was later confirmed Pearson had pulled the change because Moore is on four bookings and, had he received another on Tuesday night, would have been suspended for Sunday's game.
With Pearson also confirming Matt Upson is still not fit enough for first-team action, Moore's availability is crucial as he is set to line up alongside Marcin Wasilewski in the heart of defence.
David Nugent also missed the Liverpool defeat after failing a late fitness test on an ankle injury picked up against QPR last Saturday.
But Pearson said the striker should be fit for the weekend, as City look to end a run of nine games without a win.
"Matt Upson needs to play another game before he can be considered for the first team," said Pearson.
"It is like the Nugent situation. His scan was clear but it was too big a risk for him to be involved.
"But because he missed out, hopefully he will be available on Sunday. That gives us better options.
"I would rather miss him for one and have him available. Likewise for Matt, he could do with another game really to give him the best chance when he returns to stay available."
The defeat to Liverpool means Pearson's side have failed to win in their last nine Premier League games – since the victory over Manchester United in September – and remain bottom of the table.
But the City boss believes his side's performances, especially against QPR and Liverpool, have deserved more than the zero points they have to show for them.
"I thought we played very well on Tuesday night and were slightly unlucky," said Pearson.
"It is difficult for the players when we continue not to get the results that maybe our performances have actually warranted.
"Against a very good Liverpool side, we caused them problems throughout but, unfortunately, got punished.
"At 2-1 down and then down to 10 men, we were still pushing them hard.
"It is difficult for the players to be as positive as they have been – that is credit to their character and ability.
"That is something we need to remember when we go into the next game."
