Dan Church

Oxford United striker James Constable has been given a four-match ban following the Football Association’s decision to reject an appeal against his red card at AFC Wimbledon.

Widely known as ‘Beano’, the talisman was shown a straight red after allegedly elbowing Will Antwi in the Us 3-0 victory at Kingsmeadow.

It puts a halt on Constable’s hot goalscoring form, having netted six goals in his last nine appearances for the club.

Despite a confident appeal being lodged by the club, the forward will begin his suspension when Oxford host Division Three side Sheffield United in their FA Cup third round tie on Saturday. He will also miss the game with Southend United in the area semi-final of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy and league fixtures against Bradford City and Rotherham United.

Meanwhile United’s midfield pairing of Jake Forster-Caskey and Lee Cox have returned to their parents clubs following their loan spells at the Kassam Stadium.

Forster-Caskey heads south to join up with his team-mates at Brighton and Hove Albion, whilst Lee Cox returns to Swindon Town. Daniel Boateng is also returning to his parent club Arsenal having made just five appearances for the Us.

Both Wilder and Cox have admitted they are interested in tieing up a new deal for the former Inverness Caledonian Thistle midfielder after playing 18 games for United since joining on loan in July.