DANIEL AYALA could have played his final game for Middlesbrough after the FA rejected an appeal against his dismissal in Sunday's FA Cup win over Sheffield Wednesday.

Ayala, who will now have to serve a three-match ban, was dismissed in the second half of the game at the Riverside after he fouled Owls forward Fernando Forestieri.

At the time, it was unclear whether referee David Coote had shown his red card for serious foul play, with Ayala having led with his arm, or for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.

It has now been confirmed that the match official regarded Ayala's shoudler charge as an overly-aggressive act, and Boro's attempt to have the decision overturned were rejected at an FA hearing earlier today.

As a result, the centre-half will miss Boro's league games with Watford and West Ham, and the FA Cup fourth-round tie with Accrington Stanley.

He will not be available until the home game with West Brom on January 31 - transfer-deadline day - which means he might well have played his final game in a Boro shirt.

Ayala has been heavily linked with a move away from the Riverside this month, with Turkish side Galatasaray one of a number of clubs to have expressed an interest in acquiring his services.

An FA statement said: "Daniel Ayala will serve a three-match suspension with immediate effect after his wrongful dismissal and excessive punishment claims were unsuccessful, following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing.

"The Middlesbrough defender was sent off for serious foul play during the Emirates FA Cup tie against Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday."