Borja Sainz: Norwich players 'will not throw him under bus' after red card

Borja Sainz was sent off after 30 minutes at the Riverside Stadium

Norwich midfielder Kenny McLean says they will not throw Borja Sainz "under the bus" after he was sent off in Wednesday's defeat by Middlesbrough.

The 23-year-old Spaniard appeared to kick out at Jonny Howson in the first half and was shown a straight red card.

Norwich were leading 1-0 at the time and went on to lose 3-1.

"If the referee is correct he [Sainz] needs to take responsibility for his actions," McLean told BBC Radio Norfolk.

"It's not just getting sent off tonight - he's missing three games and he's a big player for us.

"That's a massive blow with the injuries we've got in that position. It just makes the sending-off worse.

"Listen, we're not going to throw him under the bus at all because he's been excellent for us and we need him and hopefully he can learn from it.

"If it is the case that he's kicked out, I think it's a bit petty and it's something he needs to learn from because it's happened before, and I'm sure he will."

Canaries boss David Wagner said they "may appeal" the red card, which was Sainz's second of the season.