Newcastle United star at risk of one-match Premier League ban after Liverpool blank

Newcastle United star Anthony Gordon is walking a disciplinary tightrope heading into Sunday’s Premier League clash at Sheffield United (kick-off 4:30pm).

The £45million January signing from Everton has been one of the stars of the Magpies’ campaign so far but it is becoming increasingly likely he will be forced to drop out of the starting XI in the coming weeks.

That is because the 22-year-old is sitting on four Premier League yellow cards. Reaching five cautions before matchday 20 - which is currently away to Liverpool on December 30 - results in an automatic one-match suspension.

Gordon has been booked in wins over Aston Villa and Brentford, plus defeats to Manchester City and Brighton & Hove Albion. The only game the winger has avoided punishment is the 2-1 loss to 10-man Liverpool last month.

Should Gordon receive a yellow card at Bramall Lane, he will be unavailable for next Saturday’s league fixture against Burnley. The midweek Carabao Cup tie at home to Manchester City doesn’t count because it is a different competition.

Also walking a bit of a tightrope is Bruno Guimaraes with the Brazilian going in the book three times already this term. Behind him is Sandro Tonali (2), Joelinton (1), Sven Botman (1), Dan Burn (1), Fabian Schar (1), Matt Targett (1), Kieran Trippier (1) and Callum Wilson (1).

The Magpies’ most booked player last season was Joelinton with 12 cautions. That saw him suspended for a total of three matches over the course of the 2022-23 campaign.

Players who accumulate 10 yellow cards before matchday 32 serve a two-match ban.