Midfielder Nenad Milijas this afternoon lost his appeal against the red card he received during Wolves’ game at Arsenal on Tuesday. He will now serve a three-game ban with immediate effect.

Milijas was sent off by referee Stuart Attwell for a challenge on Arsenal midfield Mikel Arteta and had been hopeful of having the decision overturned.

But an FA disciplinary committee today dismissed the appeal.

Speaking in the post-match press conference following the 1-1 draw, McCarthy said: “If he [Atwell] sees it again then it can’t be [a red card]. Nenad’s got his foot on the ground and makes contact with the ball.

Milijas’s ban will begin with Saturday’s clash at Bolton, followed by the home league match against Chelsea and the FA Cup third-round tie with Birmingham at St Andrew’s.

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy is to make no comment on the FA decision until his media conference ahead of the Bolton game.

But he was seething immediately after the game at Emirates Stadium.

When asked if he thought Milijas’ challenge deserved a sending-off, McCarthy said: “I will go and ask Stuart (Attwell). He did what he saw but if he sees it again, then he will know that it can’t be one (a red card).

“Nenad has got his foot on the ground, makes contact with the ball and I don’t think he leaves the ground.

“Someone said to me that his studs were up. Well you generally do when you tackle with your foot, sliding in.”