Three Sunderland players are currently at risk of picking up a suspension over the next few weeks.
The season is now really starting to pick up in the Championship. The Black Cats are targeting another playoff finish this season, with Michael Beale’s side sitting one point off the top six.
Sunderland are on track to meet this target. The side has picked up seven points from a possible nine games as they head travel to Huddersfield on Wednesday night.
A 3-1 comeback victory against Plymouth on the weekend provided some quality finishes and performances, proving that the players are more than up for the challenge.
However, player availability could well play a crucial role in maintaining this momentum. Beale has already updated fans on the injury front but his numbers could well dwindle further due to suspensions.
Three Sunderland players are currently at risk of being handed a suspension due to picking up too many yellow cards. No Championship player can pick up 10 yellows or more until after 37 matches. However, three players from the Black Cats are close to meeting this threshold.
Daniel Ballard
One player who has already served a suspension on this list. Ballard picked up a one-game ban back in November after he picked up five yellow cards since the cut-off.
Since then, the defender has collected another four taking his total to nine this season. This puts Ballard at the risk of picking up a two-game ban.
The 24-year-old will now have to navigate the next six games trying to avoid a booking, starting on Wednesday when Sunderland travel to Huddersfield.
Fans may install some hope in the fact that eight of the nine yellow cards Ballard has received come before Beale took over. It is clear that the defender is now getting booked less which may well result in him avoiding the ban.
Luke O’Nien
Another player closing in on a two-game ban, Luke O’Nien has been cautioned eight times this campaign.
The 29-year-old has been a highly important player so far this campaign and put in a great display in the 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough. Recently, O’Nien also made his 250th appearance for the club, becoming only the third player this millennium to reach the mark.
However, he could be forced to sit and watch from the sidelines if he picks up another two bookings over the next six games.
Once again, there is hope that this can be avoided. O’Nien has not picked up a booking in the Championship since the 1-0 victory over Leeds in mid-December. With 10 games being played since, O’Nien has every chance of surviving the next six.
Trai Hume
Finally, Hume is the other player who will be aiming to avoid a booking over the next six games. The defender is currently on eight yellow cards after last picking one up in the 1-1 draw against Middlesbrough at the start of the month.
Hume has become a vital cog in Beale’s system, with the manager recently revealing an exciting plan he has for the 21-year-old against Huddersfield.
Avoiding two yellow cards is very much plausible for the defender, but he will have to keep on his toes to avoid this.