Leicester City will be without star striker Jamie Vardy for three matches.
The Foxes launched an appeal against the Vardy ban, which came following his red card for a two-footed tackle on Mame Diouf during Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Stoke City.
However, the Football Association rejected the appeal and upheld their three-game Vardy ban, meaning the 29-year-old England international is now immediately ruled out of Leicester’s upcoming Premier League games against Everton, West Ham and Middlesbrough.
Vardy’s return date is set to be January 7, when Everton are again Leicester’s opponents – this time in the FA Cup third round.
After scoring 24 Premier League goals last season, Vardy has struggled to hit top form this term, netting just five times in 17 matches.
Three of those goals came earlier this month as Vardy hit a hat-trick against Manchester City in a 4-2 win at the King Power Stadium.
Leicester will need to get some points on the board in the absence of Vardy. Last season’s Premier League champions currently find themselves 15th in the table, just three points clear of the relegation zone.