CHRIS Routis has been backed by his City team-mates to pick his chin up and recover from his red-card woe.

His early dismissal proved a key factor in Monday’s damaging defeat to Preston and he cut a disconsolate figure afterwards.

But Billy Knott revealed that the squad are rallying round Routis and he is confident the Frenchman will shake it off.

Knott said: “Chris was down in the dressing room afterwards and felt he’d let the lads down. But he’s filled in some games this season and played brilliantly.

“It’s just one mistake and everyone makes mistakes. The boys are getting round him and picking him up.

“He’s a great player who has played in several positions. We know he’s got quality and he’ll be back.”

Routis is suspended for Saturday’s trip to Gillingham after the professional foul on Joe Garner, although City felt the Preston striker went to ground very easily having watched the incident again.

Knott added: “It’s difficult to take. He got his chance at centre half and got under the flight of the ball.

“He has got to adjust a little bit earlier as soon as he sees the centre half going up for the header.

“But it’s one of those things. Garner is clever and knows how to buy it.

“He slowed down a little bit and Chris went into the back of him. It was a sending off but we know Chris will come back.”

Midfielder Knott was impressed with Preston but felt the 3-0 final scoreline flattered them. And he has dismissed any suggestions that City’s season is now over despite dropping six points off the play-offs.

“We knew it was going to be hard but I thought we did all right. The fans stuck by us and when we went down to ten, they upped the noise levels again.

“It was a tough one to take considering the quality of football we played and the way we worked.

“Playing with ten men against a very good passing team maybe took its toll in the later stages.

“It hurts but we’ve got six games left and massive ones coming up against Gillingham and Bristol City. It’s a big push for us.

“Everyone knows we’ll give it 100 per cent now and never give up. We’ll keep cracking on and see where we finish up at the end of the season.”

Chesterfield have now won four on the bounce to seize control of sixth spot. Rochdale and Fleetwood have also jumped above the Bantams after Monday’s results.

“You can’t lie and say you don’t look (at the other scores),” said Knott. “It is disappointing but Chesterfield will have harder games to come than Crewe and we’ll have easier ones than Preston.

“You’ve just got to get on the pitch and do what you need to. We’ve got to work hard and get the three points on Saturday.”