LYMINGTON & New Milton will appeal over the administrative 'oversight' which led to striker Leigh Phillips returning from suspension a week early.

The New Forest club are facing a possible fine and/or points deduction after playing Phillips in Jewson Wessex League wins over Downton and Christchurch when he still had a week to run on his 42-day ban.

The suspension, which started on Monday, February 4, should have finished on March 17, leaving him eligible to play from March 18 onwards.

But Linnets were under the mistaken impression that he was free to play from March 11.

Phillips also faces punishment for playing while under suspension and, to add to his catalogue of disciplinary woes, he was sent off in the Downton match for two bookable offences.

Linnets' player-coach Graham Kemp said: "Our secretary John Osey did not receive a letter from the Hampshire FA about Leigh's suspension and we intend to appeal on that basis.

"The unfortunate thing if we do get points docked is that playing Leigh made no real difference to either result. He was sent off in the Downton game and missed a penalty against Christchurch."

Phillips will be in action for Linnets tonight when they entertain Andover in the semi-final of the Russell Cotes Cup.