COLCHESTER United's record signing, Clive Platt, feels “hard done by” after losing his appeal against last weekend's red card.Target-man Platt was sent off for violent conduct after just 26 minutes of the U's pre-season friendly against Bolton Wanderers.

By Carl Marston

COLCHESTER United's record signing, Clive Platt, feels “hard done by” after losing his appeal against last weekend's red card.

Target-man Platt was sent off for violent conduct after just 26 minutes of the U's pre-season friendly against Bolton Wanderers.

Both the player and his manager, Geraint Williams, believed that the club had a strong case to appeal against the sending-off, in an effort to get the three-match suspension overturned. Williams consulted with Chief Referee, Keith Hackett, before lodging the appeal.

However, the U's yesterday received the news that their appeal had failed. Platt, therefore, will have to serve a three-match ban, which is set to kick-in at next weekend's home match against Barnsley.

“I'm very disappointed. I feel that the whole system has let me down,” rued Platt last night.

“I know what went on. It was purely accidental, which makes it very hard to take. I feel hard done by, but I suppose I must just take my punishment.”

The former MK Dons striker, who was recruited for £300,000 this summer, will miss the games against the Tykes, Preston (away) and Burnley (home).

But Platt is in line to make his U's debut at Sheffield United tomorrow, and he will also be available for the trip to Shrewsbury Town for a Carling Cup first round tie on Tuesday evening.

“This news just makes me doubly determined to do well over these next two games,” admitted Platt.

“However, I'd have preferred the suspension to start now. We have three games inside a week, Saturday, Tuesday and Saturday, so I'd only have been out for a week.

“Instead, though, I will miss games over a three-week period, which is tough. I will just have to make sure that I put in the work in training,” concluded Platt.