Darlington boss David Hodgson believes Joey Hutchinson's impending two-match suspension could not have come at a more crucial time.

Hodgson last night learned that, under new FA laws put in place this season, Hutchinson will miss two games after his sending off at Wrexham on Saturday.

The 23-year-old was dismissed for dissent at the Racecourse Ground after confronting referee Gary Sutton at the end of the controversial 1-0 defeat. Hutchinson was unhappy that the Lincoln official awarded Wrexham a last-minute penalty, despite the defender's challenge on Robbie Foy taking place outside the box.

A red card for dissent would normally warrant a one-match ban. But, because the defender was still on the pitch after the game when he remonstrated with the referee, Hutchinson will now serve two games.

The ban means Hutchinson will miss this Saturday's FA Cup first round tie at Barnsley, as well as the League Two visit of promotion-chasing Wycombe Wanderers a week later.

"I'm very disappointed because we've lost Joey for two very big games," said Hodgson.

"The lad knows he has done wrong, but at the time I can understand that it is difficult in the heat of the moment.

"It's unfortunate that, under the new laws, we will be without Joey for two rather than one game.

"He'll be a massive loss at Barnsley and with the pace of Nathan Tyson, we could have done with having him for the Wycombe game too."

Quakers will not be appealing against Hutchinson's dismissal and, reluctantly, Hodgson has fined the Middlesbrough-born defender.

"It's not something I like doing, but the game had finished and Joey should have acted professionally in that situation," said Hodgson.

While the loss of Hutchinson will come as a major blow, ahead of the Barnsley game, Hodgson has been boosted by the news that David Duke will be fit for the trip to Oakwell.

Duke sustained a head injury at Wrexham, but the former Sunderland defender returned to training yesterday.

Midfielder Phil Stamp will resume full training tomorrow, although the 29-year-old will not be considered this weekend. Stamp, who has yet to make his Quakers debut, has recovered from a calf problem and could make his debut against Wycombe.

* Notts County striker Gavin Gordon has been placed on the transfer list at Meadow Lane.

Gordon, 26, has failed to find the back of the net in six appearances this season and was last on the scoresheet back in January when the Magpies beat Scunthorpe 2-0.

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