ANDREW Whing is back in the Albion defence after another ear-bashing from his dad.

Whing was banned for Tuesday’s win at Bristol Rovers following a red card in the closing stages of last Saturday’s home victory against Oldham.

He had already been booked for a foul when he knocked the ball away in frustration as a throw-in went against him.

That did not go down well with dad, who, like his son, is an avid Aston Villa fan.

Whing said: “It was just one of those moments I couldn’t really control, a bit of frustration.

“It dawned on me as well when I saw my old man who unfortunately for me was down at the weekend with my mum. He didn’t let me rest. He was hammering me the whole weekend.

“Usually he isn’t at the game. I don’t know why he missed the Villa to come down but he gave me some stick and didn’t let me forget about it.”

Whing’s performances at right-back, which are poised to land him the player of the season award, have been much more impressive than his disciplinary record.

He has also been booked seven times this season after 11 yellows and a red last season and ten cautions the season before with both the Seagulls and Coventry.

Whing sat with the fans at Nottingham Forest last season during another ban. The passionately committed defender was as close to the action as he could get at Rovers.

He said: “I was on the bench, which was a great way to watch the game, but it was frustrating that I couldn’t join in.

“With the celebrations after the game I was sort of on the edge of it but I was delighted with the performance.

“It would have been even worse if I was sitting at home on my own, twiddling my thumbs and watching Sky Sports News. I would be more wound up. Goodness knows what I would be like.”

Whing’s absence prevented Bristol Rovers running the rule over him. He is out-of-contract at the end of the season and both Rovers and Walsall are keeping tabs on his situation.

Whing is concentrating on the continuing fight against relegation and today’s crucial trip to Huddersfield, rather than his future.

Albion are bidding for a fourth straight away win at the Galpharm Stadium, a run which has coincided with what, at the time, appeared to be a fatal home defeat by Swindon.

He said: “We had a long chat after the Swindon game. That defeat brought us a bit closer together.

“We had a meeting the next day and we have won three on the bounce since then. It has been a fantastic effort by the lads since then, with some great performances as well.”

Albion’s comeback at Bristol Rovers was bettered by Huddersfield against Whing’s other potential suitors last Saturday.

He said: “They were 2-0 down and won 3-2 at Walsall so that was a fantastic result for them.

“They’ve got a newish manager (Lee Clark) in there as well with some new players so it’s a difficult place to go but the way we are playing we can go into the game full of confidence.”

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