BLUES skipper Jim Magilton faces missing the first three games of the season after being red-carded in Hungary last night.The Irishman now faces an agonising wait to see if the referee reports the incident and if the English FA is notified of the incident officially.

BLUES skipper Jim Magilton faces missing the first three games of the season after being red-carded in Hungary last night.

The Irishman now faces an agonising wait to see if the referee reports the incident and if the English FA is notified of the incident officially.

Magilton, sporting a black eye after being head-butted by Hungarian international striker Peter Rajczi, last night told the EADT that he would be “mortified” if he is banned.

He said: “I was definitely the one sinned against rather than the sinner.

“The guy nutted me, and what is worse the linesman must have seen it but did nothing. All the way off the pitch the guy was saying 'sorry, sorry' to me so if I do miss those games I will be doubly mortified.”

The Blues will now wait until any action, if any, is taken and will look at any video evidence, before deciding whether or not to appeal. Town assistant-manager Willie Donachie felt the double sending-off was justified after Magilton appeared to react to being struck.

Donachie said: “The way I saw it the referee was about right. Jim was frustrated about us losing and not playing particularly well and it got out of hand.

“It will be a big blow if we are without Jim.” The night was made worse by Town losing their second friendly in a row, despite twice being ahead.

Donachie said: “We had the same problem as we have had for quite a while. We look a good footballing team but we can't keep a clean sheet. The defensive side of our game needs to be worked on and the players know that.

“We did play some superb football at times and we are a week behind them in terms of pre-season training and that can make a difference.

“If we were playing our first league game in a week then I would be more worried but we have three more games to progress and we will.

“The result and the defensive side of the game was disappointing but a lot of the attacking play and the possession was very good.

“We created a couple of chances from superb football but we must improve on the defensive side.

“The team that wins the league will be the team that lets the least goals in.”

Donachie was also pleased with the progress made by the likes of Owen Garvan, who was making his full debut for the first team.

Full report - Page 51