Colchester United skipper Magnus Okuonghae has urged the Football Association to overturn his controversial red card against Charlton Athletic.

The experienced defender is facing the prospect of being suspended for the U’s game at Bristol City this weekend, following his dismissal in the 4-0 Capital One Cup defeat at the Valley.

Okuonghae was given his marching orders for denying a goalscoring opportunity, after he was adjudged to have deliberately handled Callum Harriott’s attempted shot in the first-round tie.

The 28-year-old says the ball hit his ribs and is adamant that he should not have been sent off by referee Charles Breakspear.

And after Colchester decided to appeal the decision, Okuonghae is hoping that the red card will be duly chalked off.

Okuonghae said: “Hopefully, the powers that be will go with us and go in our favour."

For more on this story and all of the latest Colchester United news, including the return of Duguid's Diary, see Thursday's Daily Gazette.