DAVID PRUTTON'S season is effectively over after the Saints midfielder was handed a whopping ten-game ban by The FA.

Prutton pleaded guilty to two charges of misconduct following his sending off during Saturday's 1-1 St Mary's draw against Arsenal with the most serious charge relating to his push on referee Alan Wiley.

The 23-year-old midfielder was accompanied at FA headquarters yesterday by boss Harry Redknapp and representatives from the PFA and made a personal apology for his actions.

Prutton's suspension even outstrips the punishment handed out to Paolo Di Canio when he shoved over referee Paul Alcock in 1998.

For that offence Di Canio was banned for eight games on top of his automatic three-game punishment for a straight red card. However, Saints boss Redknapp has told his former England Under-21 midfielder there is no point in appealing against the sentence.

He said: "There's nothing we can do and there's no point in appealing - he'll take his punishment.

"He had no grounds for arguing and is sorry for the way he reacted. He didn't set a good example to anyone.

"We'll obviously miss him, he's a big loss on the pitch. He's played every match for me since I came here but we'll just have to move on."

Saints have ten matches of their Premiership season left but Prutton would be available for the last game - at home to Manchester United - providing Saints lost to Sir Alex Ferguson's men in the FA Cup.

Prutton, who had made public apologies to all involved, was not afforded the leniency many expected him to get.

But he took his punishment on the chin. After receiving the ten-game ban, and a fine for £6,000, he said: "It is a hefty ban but I put myself in that position by doing what I did and now I have to face the consequences.

"I regretted it as soon as I had done it. I sat in the dressing room and realised I had let down my teammates, my manager and myself. I portrayed an image that is not me and I hope people watching football will not follow it."

PFA representative Mick McGuire accompanied Prutton to the hearing and added: "The punishment was extremely harsh - particularly when one considers there was clearly no intent for the player to push the ref.

"However, tempered with that is the understanding that it is a difficult call for the commission, who clearly felt the need to send a strong message on what is really a very sensitive area.

"We cannot, though, condone players laying their hands on match officials, and therefore can understand the severity of the sanction.

"I know the FA have to send out a message and it was a fair hearing. At the moment, it is likely that we won't appeal but we need time to consider."

Redknapp's later comments indicated Saints won't appeal and they will have to find another midfield formula that doesn't rely on Prutton.

Redknapp, 58 yesterday, was also handed a parking ticket for overstaying his welcome after paying for a 90-minute ticket ahead of a hearing which lasted two hours!