Newcastle United 2-1 Fulham: Joe Buck match reaction
Newcastle United latest news: One of Eddie Howe’s key players is at risk of a possible Premier League ban.
Eddie Howe will head into that game with just two fully-fit senior defenders amid a growing injury crisis affecting his back line - although there is hope that Lewis Hall will be fit to feature against his former club.
With games coming thick-and-fast, Howe needs his big players to stand up and be counted over the coming weeks, particularly with big games against fellow European hopefuls in Chelsea and Manchester United to come either side of Christmas.
It would, therefore, be a massive blow if his captain, Bruno Guimaraes, is unavailable for either of those games. Well, there is a possibility that could happen.
Bruno Guimaraes at risk of Premier League ban
Guimaraes will be handed a one-match ban by the Premier League if he is booked during Saturday’s clash with Chelsea at St James’ Park.
The Brazilian has been shown four yellow cards in the Premier League so far this season, picking up the latest of those during their defeat against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. Guimaraes was one of four Magpies players to be shown a yellow card during that defeat at the Stadium of Light, alongside Sandro Tonali, Malick Thiaw and Joe Willock.
Unlike his teammates, that booking puts Guimaraes at immediate risk of a suspension as it was his fourth of the campaign. 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, therefore, would miss Newcastle United’s trip to face Manchester United at Old Trafford on Boxing Day if he is booked on Saturday. If he avoids being booked this weekend, then he has to survive that clash with Ruben Amorim’s side as well as their trip to Burnley to ensure he passes the 19-game threshold.
Elsewhere, Joelinton is also at risk of a possible Premier League ban, although he will have to be booked twice in his next three outings in order to meet the threshold required. Dan Burn is the only other player currently sat on three bookings, but his injury means that he will not return to action until after the 19-game threshold has passed.
Thiaw and Jacob Ramsey, meanwhile, need to be shown yellow cards in all of Newcastle United’s next three Premier League matches to be handed a one-match ban. No other Magpies player is at risk of reaching the five yellow card threshold.
Fabian Schar was booked during their win over Fulham in midweek but will serve that suspension during the first-leg of their semi-final clash with Manchester City. Domestic cup yellow card suspensions do not carry over into league competition.
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