Frazier Campbell on Régis Le Bris, Granit Xhaka, Darren Bent, Steve Bruce and Sunderland's season
Granit Xhaka and Noah Sadiki are now one booking away from a ban, leaving Sunderland facing key midfield concerns
Sadiki was carded against Everton at the Stadium of Light, while captain Xhaka received a yellow card against former club Arsenal on Wearside last Saturday in the Premier League. Under Premier League regulations, any player who collects five yellow cards in the first 19 league fixtures receives an automatic one-game ban.
With eight matches still to play before that threshold resets, Sadiki will need to tread carefully as Sunderland prepare for key upcoming fixtures against Arsenal and Fulham. Xhaka – who captained the Black Cats in both the 1–1 draw with Everton and the 2–2 stalemate against Arsenal – is now also one booking away from suspension. The suspension rule applies only to Premier League games, meaning yellow cards collected in the FA Cup or Carabao Cup do not count towards the total. After a club’s 19th league match, the slate is wiped clean – although further sanctions come into effect as the campaign progresses.
How Premier League disciplinary rules currently stand
Five yellow cards: One-match ban if received within the first 19 league fixtures
Ten yellow cards: Two-match ban if received within the first 32 fixtures
Fifteen yellow cards: Three-match ban if received before the end of the season
Sadiki and Xhaka have been ever-present driving forces in Sunderland’s midfield, offering a balance of energy, control and tactical discipline that has been central to the club’s impressive return to the top flight. With Habib Diarra still sidelined, Le Bris will be keen to keep his key players available during a demanding winter programme.
Xhaka, in particular, was influential again across the past week – scoring, dictating the tempo and leading by example as Sunderland extended their unbeaten home run against Everton, and then turning in a good display against Arsenal. His partnership with Sadiki has underpinned much of Sunderland’s early-season success, and with the yellow-card threshold looming, the challenge now is to maintain their aggression and intensity without crossing the line.
What is the latest on Habib Diarra?
Diarra was also on hand to provide an update on his recovery before the game against Everton – and his response delighted fans in attendance. “It will be the Newcastle game,” the midfielder revealed, sparking cheers and applause from Sunderland supporters. The Senegal international underwent groin surgery in late September after sustaining an injury in training before the Premier League clash with Aston Villa.
A club statement at the time confirmed: “Sunderland AFC midfielder Habib Diarra underwent successful surgery on Monday. After sustaining a groin injury in training ahead of the club’s Premier League fixture versus Aston Villa, the 21-year-old will now begin a period of rehabilitation at the Academy of Light. Diarra, who moved to Wearside from RC Strasbourg in July, is scheduled to return to action in December.”
The Echo has launched a new WhatsApp SAFC channel to bring the latest news, analysis and team & injury updates directly to your phone.Simply click this link to join our SAFC WhatsApp channel.
Diarra’s return would provide a significant boost to Régis Le Bris’ midfield options ahead of a testing festive period that includes fixtures against Liverpool, Manchester City, and Newcastle United, as well as Senegal’s AFCON campaign, which begins on December 23rd against Botswana. With Mundle targeting a comeback for the Fulham clash and Diarra aiming for the Wear-Tyne derby, Sunderland’s squad depth could be set for a timely lift heading into one of the busiest stretches of the season.
Continue Reading