SOUTHEND United have decided to appeal against the red card Jason Demetriou was shown in Saturday's 4-0 defeat at Northampton Town.

Demetriou was dismissed when giving away a penalty for the Cobblers' second goal.

But Blues boss Phil Brown did not agree with the decision.

And he now hopes to have it overturned in order for Demetriou to figure against Oxford United on Tuesday evening.

"We've put the appeal in and we're backing our player," said Brown.

"As far as I'm concerned Jason is not denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity because it's not obvious their player is going to reach the ball when he goes down.

"We should find out by lunchtime tomorrow whether or not the appeal has been successful and it's been difficult not being able to select the starting line-up at this stage because we don't know what's going to be happening.

"Jason is an integral part of our plans so hopefully he'll be free to play but I just hope we get an early decision either way in order for us to be able to prepare properly."

Demetriou will serve a one match suspension if the appeal is unsuccessful.