AFC Wimbledon could be deducted points by the Football League after fielding an ineligible player, the club has announced.

The club has been called to appear before a Football Disciplinary Committee (FDC) on 28 April in relation to fielding an ineligible player, Jake Nicholson, against Cheltenham Town in March.

In a statement, the club said: "The FDC has discretion whether or not to deduct points.

"We will be represented at the hearing by Jim Sturman QC and he has advised us that it would not be appropriate to make any further comment at this time.

"As soon as the outcome of the hearing has been determined we will publish the background to this charge."

Dons chief executive Erik Samuelson praised the side’s management team in the light of the potential points deduction.

Samuelson said: “The management team have known about the issue since just after the Cheltenham game, while the players were only told on Monday.”

He added: “This was not an issue from the pitch, but from elsewhere.

“Neal [Ardley, the manager] and his team have been magnificent in how they have handled it.”

The League Two club made the Football League aware of a potential issue, and could face a points deduction, fine or both.