Cats boss plays down ban worry for key duo

SUNDERLAND head coach Regis Le Bris has played down the worry ofa one-match ban for two of his key players, but admits it will be on their minds ahead of this week’s Premier League doubleheader.

- By MATTY HEWITT Football writer matty.hewitt@reachpiccom

Captain Granit Xhaka and midfielder Noah Sadiki have both picked up four yellow cards for the season already, which means one more will incur an automatic one-match ban.

Sunderland travel to face Liverpool at Anfield tonight, before another testing trip against Manchester City at the Eti-had on Saturday, and then the Wear-Tyne derby against Newcastle United on Sunday, December 14.

It means if either are booked against Liverpool they will miss the game at Man City - but if they are cautioned at the weekend then they will be ruled out of the North East showdown at the Stadium of Light.