SOUTHEND United duo Michael Kightly and Mark Oxley will miss tomorrow night’s clash with Cambridge United - even though the game will not count towards their three match suspensions.

The duo were both red carded towards the end of Saturday’s 2-1 defeat against Charlton Athletic.

But neither of them will be able to figure in the Checkatrade Trophy encounter at Roots Hall, much to the confusion of Blues boss Chris Powell.

“It now seems it’s a four game ban because the Checkatrade doesn’t count bizarrely, even though it’s an EFL competition,” said Powell.

“It’s not just us because there’s also Charlton and I’m led to believe Sunderland and Notts County as well.

“But they’re saying it doesn’t count because if it happened to a Premier League team they could use the game as one of the three games.

“I’m sure they didn’t think of this scenario so it may get changed.

“I doubt it will be this season but its something to look at next year.”