Joelinton narrowly avoided a booking in Newcastle United’s recent match against Brighton, steering clear of an automatic one-game suspension for now. The Brazilian midfielder currently sits on four yellow cards, meaning one more before Newcastle’s 19th game would result in a suspension due to card accumulation.
Bruno Guimaraes faced a similar situation last season, managing to play 11 games without receiving a fifth yellow, which would have triggered a two-game suspension as it would have been his second ban for accumulation. However, there are doubts about whether Joelinton can replicate that streak, and it seems likely that a ban could be on the horizon for him.
Dan Burn is also in a similar predicament, having picked up his fourth yellow card of the season against his former club on Saturday. The game’s referee, Peter Bankes, was criticized for inconsistency in issuing yellow cards, with Newcastle players appearing to get booked more easily than their Brighton counterparts. Now, Burn must tread carefully to avoid a suspension.
Newcastle has some flexibility to manage potential suspensions. If Burn is sidelined, Lloyd Kelly can step in at left-center-back until Sven Botman returns. Likewise, Eddie Howe has several options in midfield to cover for Joelinton if needed. While neither situation is ideal, the club should be able to manage without too much disruption if suspensions come into play.
Of course, there’s always a chance of misfortune striking at the wrong time—like Burn receiving a suspension just as Kelly picks up an injury. But staying positive is key, and Newcastle will hope to navigate these challenges smoothly.
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