Chelsea confirm late major blow ahead of Newcastle United clash at St James' Park

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino will serve a one-match touchline ban against Newcastle United this afternoon (kick-off 3pm).

The Argentine picked up his third yellow card of the campaign in the 4-4 draw with Manchester City last time outafter storming onto the pitch to confront referee Anthony Taylor.

The news has come as a surprise to many Chelsea fans with Pochettino's suspension not reported in the media until late on Friday night.

Two of Pochettino’s three bookings came earlier this season against Brighton & Hove Albion and Burnley.

"We have to be more flexible - we are too square with things," Pochettino said. "That also doesn’t help the relationship.

"Sometimes we are frustrated because we were talking in the last managers' meeting [about this]. The coaches need to be more involved in these decisions.

"It’s not only one coach that thinks like this. We all have full respect for the referees. We understand perfectly that their job is really tough.

"But the problem is, sometimes you get frustrated during the game because of the VAR or things. And you cannot go and complain to the referee or the VAR. That is a problem."

Pochettino previously punished striker Nicolas Jackson after his one-game suspenson for five yellow cards by making him run. And the Blues manager has dished out a reprimand to himself.

Pochettino said: "[Jackson] had to run [for his punishment]. And I am going to pay for a dinner because I got suspended and I cannot run, so I prefer to pay."

Chelsea are hoping to build on their thrilling draw with Man City, while Newcastle are looking to bounce back from their 2-0 defeat to AFC Bournemouth.