Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill will assess Danny Rose's frame of mind before deciding whether to throw him into the heat of a derby battle after his experiences in Serbia.
The England Under-21 international was sent off during Tuesday night's 1-0 European Championship play-off victory in Krusevac amid allegations that he and other black players had been racially abused.
O'Neill has revealed he will wait before deciding whether or not the Tottenham loanee is mentally prepared to play in Sunday's Barclays Premier League clash with Newcastle, and said: "I will give him the opportunity just to let things lie for a day or two and I will speak to him closer to the time and see what frame of mind he is in."
He continued: "You are hoping that young players who might not have experienced things like that there before can respond positively. I am sure he will do and hopefully at some stage or another, he will take it in his stride.
"But I would just really point out that everybody here at the football club, and I am quite sure at his own football club, is very much on his side."
Rose and his team-mates were clearly furious and the game descended into an ugly brawl on the final whistle.
Both national associations have since been charged by UEFA in connection with the incident with the Serbian FA, to the astonishment of their English counterparts, having branded Rose's behaviour "inappropriate, unsportsmanlike and vulgar".
O'Neill was reluctant to comment until all the facts are available, but said: "He is naturally disappointed with the state of affairs, and somewhat angry as well, but I am sure there will be a lot more said about it in the next few days.
"Maybe until we get the full picture, from my viewpoint maybe the less said, other than the fact that I think it's been very, very disappointing, particularly considering the efforts that have gone in over the last couple of seasons here to eradicate racism from our game.
"It is a difficult situation for him and I have obviously the utmost sympathy for and empathy with him. It's something he shouldn't have to endure, and that goes for all concerned."
Source: PA
