Oxford United's plans for Saturday's game against York City have been disrupted after the Football Association failed to reach a decision on the appeals of Phil Bolland and Paul Moody.

The duo were both shown the red card, along with U's boss Mark Wright, in the 1-0 defeat at home to Scunthorpe just under two weeks ago.

But their controversial dismissals angered Wright and United supporters, and the club issued an appeal to get their three-match bans overturned.

Their protest was sent to the FA last Wednesday, but the club have still to hear the verdict - just 48 hours before a match in which both could be available to play.

However, a representative from the club was asked to travel to Birmingham today - and it could be a good sign.

One United official said: "On the basis that the previous appeal was just thrown out, hopefully this means that the decision is not totally done and dusted, and they might change their mind."

FA Spokesman Andrin Cooper said last night: "The appeal has to be submitted to the members of the video advisory panel and the referee, who all study the tape.

"We don't have all four of these opinions back, and so no decision has yet been reached."

Moody raised his hands to Scunthorpe winger Peter Beagrie to earn his red card, and would seem to have little chance of having his ban overturned, but Bolland has a much stronger case.

He was dismissed for what referee Joseph Ross described as a "reckless late challenge", but video evidence clearly shows that the former Southport man did in fact play the ball as well as the man.

Wright is hoping a decision is reached quickly, so he knows just who is at his disposal for Saturday's game.

At the moment, United are without all three first-choice defenders, with Bolland joining Scott Guyett and Wayne Hatswell in serving suspensions.

United have been working in training on a new-look back line, consisting of Jon Richardson, Sam Ricketts and Simon King, but should Bolland's appeal be successful, they would have to start planning for another new formation to include Bolland.

If the appeals are rejected, United will be without no fewer than TEN players for the clash with the Minstermen.