Three Newcastle United stars at risk of missing Sunderland game due to Premier League rule
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Newcastle United latest news: Three of Eddie Howe’s key players are at risk of being banned from featuring in the first Wear-Tyne derby of the season.
Three Newcastle United players must avoid being booked against Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday night if they want to ensure they are able to play in the first Premier League Wear-Tyne derby since the 2015/16 season.
The Magpies head to the Stadium of Light on Sunday 14 December (2pm kick-off) to face their local rivals in what will be just the second meeting between Newcastle United and Sunderland in over nine years. Eddie Howe’s side, memorably, defeated the Black Cats in their last meeting which came on Wearside in the FA Cup in January 2024.
The Black Cats will likely put up a much sterner test than they did on that occasion when they meet next month and Howe will be desperate to have his key players available for that game. To do that, though, Dan Burn, Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes must all avoid a potential suspension.
All three players have been booked three times in the Premier League this season. Dan Burn, of course, has already served a one-match ban after being sent off against Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Burn and his Brazilian teammates know that if they avoid being booked against Spurs on Tuesday night, then they will not be banned from playing against Sunderland - unless they are sent-off against Burnley on Saturday.
Newcastle United trio ‘at risk’ of Sunderland ban
Premier League rules on yellow card suspensions read: ‘According to The FA's disciplinary rules, any player who earns five bookings from their side's first 19 Premier League matches of a season will have to serve a one-match ban in the same competition. Premier League yellow cards are not carried over to the EFL Cup or FA Cup.
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‘Players who accumulate 10 yellow cards in Premier League matches up to and including their side's 32nd fixture will serve a two-match suspension in the competition.’
Guimaraes, Joelinton and Burn will all likely have crucial roles to play in that clash at the Stadium of Light . All three started their FA Cup win two seasons ago with Joelinton’s cross being turned in by Dan Ballard for their opening goal.
Sunderland, meanwhile, also have a couple of suspension worries themselves and will be desperate for key man Granit Xhaka to avoid a ban. Xhaka currently sits on four yellow cards and knows that if he is booked when they face Manchester City next weekend, then he will miss the chance to share the pitch with Guimaraes, Joelinton, Burn and co.
Noah Sadiki is also just one booking away from a one-match ban. The DR Congo international played the full 90 minutes alongside Xhaka during Sunderland’s comeback win over Bournemouth on Saturday in their last home match before they welcome their fierce rivals to Wearside in two weeks time.
Newcastle United’s win over Everton on Saturday evening ensured they ended the weekend four points behind Sunderland in the Premier League table. Newcastle face Spurs and Burnley at home this week, whilst the Black Cats face daunting away trips to Anfield and the Etihad Stadium.