CITY have been unsuccessful in trying to overturn Nathaniel Knight-Percival's dismissal against Oxford.

The club's appeal has been rejected by the Football Association, which means the defender will miss the next three games.

The centre half was dismissed by referee Darren Drysdale after an aerial clash with Oxford's Jamie Hanson.

His ban means he will miss tomorrow's trip to Luton, Saturday's FA Cup visit to Peterborough and the journey to Plymouth on December 8.

Boss David Hopkin said: "You can never tell with these things. But I don't think it is anywhere near an elbow - it's just two players coming together.

"The Oxford player went down and another pushed Nat over. You could see Nat's reaction when he's just lying there.

"He's the most placid man you could ever meet. At that time I knew it was nothing, so hopefully we can get it rescinded."

Anthony O'Connor is already ruled out of tomorrow's game at Luton after receiving a fifth yellow card.

But Kelvin Mellor is back in training today and could return to the travelling squad.