LEE Martin has been disciplined for his red card at Nottingham Forest – but Blues boss Mick McCarthy will not throw the book at his suspended winger.

The 26-year-old was dismissed for the third time in his Town career last weekend when jabbing an elbow into the midriff of Forest midfielder Henri Lansbury, the latter having fouled Martin and then prevented him getting up off the ground.

It means he will miss almost a month of football, with his three-game ban coinciding with an international break. Having missed last weekend’s goalless draw at Peterborough, he will also be suspended for crucial back-to-back home games against Bolton and Leeds as the Blues continue their fight to avoid relegation from the Championship.

“I’ve spoken to him about it,” said McCarthy. “I wouldn’t tell you what I’ve said, but I’ve spoken to him, of course.

“There is a disciplinary code of conduct. There are rules in place that mean, if you get sent-off, then disciplinary action is taken.

“He’s accepted that, come in and held his hands up.”

There is no guarantee that the Town wide man – whose lucrative four-year deal expires this summer – will walk straight back into the side for the trip to Millwall on Easter Monday following the impressive debut of Reading loanee Jay Tabb on Saturday.

The latter is due to be at Portman Road for a month, but McCarthy has already spoken about the possibility of extending that deal and possibly even making him a permanent addition in the summer.

Martin has now been sent-off half as many times as he has scored – just six times – during his 104 appearances for the club. He has been booked 28 times over the last four seasons.

“Listen, here speaks a bloke who was sent-off nine times,” said McCarthy, a man famed for his combative displays at centre-half for the likes of Barnsley, Celtic and Millwall. “But me and Lee Martin are somewhat different types of players though!

“What was really galling was how well he was playing (against Forest). He could have had a penalty, then he got us a free-kick.

“Lansbury knelt him in the thigh, stood on the back of his leg. Horrible things happen though, you’ve just got to think ‘okay pal, I’ll get my chance’.

“That’s the way it is. Don’t react. Especially when the referee is stood next to you.”