The Suspension Tightrope – Gameweek 17

Four more players toppled off the Suspension Tightrope this week, with a couple of culpable parties earning their fifth yellow card during Sunday’s Tyne-Wear derby. Cheick Tiote is unavailable for Newcastle’s upcoming trip to Old Trafford, whilst the Black Cats’ Connor Wickham sits out a plum home encounter with Hull.

The Tigers’ midfielder Jake Livermore will also miss that Stadium of Light encounter and Southampton will travel to Palace on Boxing Day without the services of skipper Jose Fonte, as Ronald Koeman prepares for yet another defensive re-shuffle.

In terms of the Tightrope, another three players made their way onto four yellows for the season – Santi Cazorla, John O’Shea and Erik Pieters are the latest new entries, taking the total to 32 players. Pieters’ inclusion means Stoke now have four players just a single card away from a ban, more than any other side.

O’Shea’s team-mate Lee Cattermole is now up to eight yellows in just 16 league appearances after being booked in the North East derby. The midfield enforcer had picked up a total of two reds and nine yellows across the previous couple of campaigns due to a lack of pitch time but is clearly keen to atone for lost time. If Cattermole is cautioned in both of the next two, he’ll face the ignominy of toppling from the Tightrope twice before the New Year is upon us.

Elsewhere, another two players fell foul of the referee’s wrath in Gameweek 17. Liverpool’s Fabio Borini made an impression for all the wrong reasons against Arsenal at Anfield. Replacing Lazar Markovic midway through the second period, the Italian collected a pair of yellows in just 16 minutes and will be unavailable for Friday’s trip to Burnley.

Villa’s Gabby Agbonlahor was due to serve a three-match ban after being sent off for serious foul play during last Saturday’s home draw with United. Earlier this afternoon, the FA overturned that suspension and the forward is available for selection with immediate effect.

Remaining on the sidelines are Hull midfielder Tom Huddlestone (sitting out the second of a four-match suspension) and Villa’s Kieran Richardson, who is serving the second of a three-match ban this Friday.

Paul Lambert welcomes back Alan Hutton and Tom Cleverley, though, as the midlands outfit look to push on from the draw with United. Southampton trio Morgan Schneiderlin, Victor Wanyama and Florin Gardos are also available for selection as Ronald Koeman’s side head to Selhurst Park.

Mario Balotelli is back for Liverpool’s visit to Burnley after serving a one-match ban for his recent social media posts. The FA have revealed that they decided against dishing out a longer sentence due to the striker’s sincere and honest explanation.