Wanderers were dealt a sizeable blow yesterday after the Football Association rejected Gary Cahill’s appeal to overturn his red card at Arsenal.

The centre-half, who was sent off in controversial circumstances by Stuart Atwell at the Emirates on Saturday, will now miss the next three games, starting with this weekend’s trip to Aston Villa.

Cahill will also be consigned to the sidelines for the home game against Manchester United and the Carling Cup clash with Burnley.

The Whites had been confident that having reviewed the incident, which occured in the 65th minute of the 4-1 defeat in North London, that the FA would uphold their claim of wrongful dismissal.

Owen Coyle, Gretar Steinsson and Kevin Davies all expressed their surprise after the match, with even Gunners boss Arsene Wenger conceding that it warranted only a “dark orange, or a light red.”

But by yesterday afternoon, Coyle was left facing this weekend’s trip to the Midlands without both his first choice centre-half Cahill and his goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen, who still has two games to runof his own disciplinary charge. An FA statement read: “At a regulatory commission hearing today, a claim for wrongful dismissal from Bolton Wanderers defender Gary Cahill was dismissed.

“As a result, Cahill’s three-match suspension will remain and will be served with immediate effect.”

The red card was Cahill’s second of his Wanderers career, having previously been sent off against Northampton Town in the Carling Cup in August 2008.

Danny Shittu says he won’t be rushed into a decision on where to resume his career after leaving Wanderers.

The Nigeria international looks to have missed out on a move to Glasgow Celtic after refusing a trial at Parkhead, but insists he still has options around Europe and the Middle East.

“I am still looking at my options as to where I will resume my playing career,” said the big centre half. “I want to take my time on my decision as this is such a big thing for my future.

“It has to be the right move for me so that I am playing reguarly again and I believe I still have a lot to offer to the right club.

“I am feeling extremely fit and have been training every day to maintain my fitness.

“I believe I had a good World Cup with Nigeria and I just want to make sure I find the right club to continue my career.”