Offord suspended four games after Salford City red card
The former Crewe Alexandra man will miss most of the run-in
Luke Offord is set to miss the majority of MK Dons’ run-in following his red card against Salford City on Saturday.
The 26-year-old was shown a straight red card after he kicked the ball against Fabio Borini, sparking a full-scale brawl between both clubs.
For Offord, his sending off came after he toed a fine line on nine bookings for several weeks, avoiding a two-game ban for a tenth yellow when the card count was reset after the 39th game of the season.
However, he will now face four games out as a result of his sending off for violent conduct and as a result of it being his second dismissal of the season.
“We’re disappointed with it,” said boss Paul Warne. “To lose him for four games when there is only six left is a blow. He’s a real calming influence at the back, he has been amazing for us this season so we’re really disappointed.”
It means Offord will be banned for games against Barrow, Oldham Athletic, Bromley and Crewe Alexandra.
For the visit of Barrow on Good Friday, Warne could welcome back top-scorer Callum Paterson after being out for nine games with an ankle injury, but midfielder Will Collar, who has been out since Boxing Day, was dealt a setback on his return.
Warne added: “Will might have had a little setback today, his quad tightened up a bit but that could be nothing.
“Pato has looked a lot more like it. He might have been able to be involved last weekend but he was ill, which was possibly a blessing because it’s given him another couple of days training. He doesn’t look like he’s missed any game time, he looks in great nick physically too.”