Leicester City defender Paul Konchesky has had the red card he received during the defeat at Aston Villa rescinded.
City had been given until midday yesterday to appeal an expected three-match ban for violent conduct, following the 33-year-old's clash with Alan Hutton at Villa Park.
Events moved at such pace, however, that the FA confirmed there would be no case to answer.
This verdict came after a hearing by the Independent Regulatory Commission, which ruled that the red card was overturned and Konchesky would face no ban.
Konchesky appeared to say something to Hutton after being penalised for a tackle on the Villa man and Hutton jumped up confront the City defender.
The two pushed foreheads together before being parted but, while referee Craig Pawson showed Konchesky a red card, Hutton escaped with a booking.
Manager Nigel Pearson said after the Villa game they were initially given two conflicting explanations for Konchesky's dismissal and wanted to wait to see what was in referee's report before making a decision.
Pawson's report confirmed the card was for violent conduct, which brings a three-match ban and potentially ruled Konchesky out of the visit from Man City, the trip to West Ham United and the home clash with Tottenham on Boxing Day.
But he will now be free to play in all three.
With captain Wes Morgan returning from his one-game suspension following his red card against Liverpool and England defender Matt Upson stepping up his comeback from injury in the under-21s last night, Pearson could have his defence at full strength for the visit of the reigning Premier League champions.
City have gone 10 games without a victory and Pearson said his side must improve defensively after being punished for lapses at Villa Park.
Meanwhile, it has been reported that City are still in talks with Croatian side HNK Rijeka over signing in-demand striker Adrej Kramaric.
There were initial reports from Croatia stated that City had submitted an offer of between £7million and £8 million for the 23-year-old.
Further reports from Italy suggested that having accepted the offer, the player had rejected a move to City in favour of a switch to Juventus.
However, HNK Rijeka sports chief Ivan Mance is quoted as saying those reports are untrue. "We have not rejected a bid from Leicester," he said.
"Negotiations are ongoing and everything is still open.
"We are also talking with other clubs."
