Sunderland said on Monday that captain Lee Cattermole has been given a four-match ban, while team-mate Stephane Sessegnon will be out for three after their dismissals during the local derby with Newcastle.
Cattermole earned his 10th yellow card of the season after a clash with Cheick Tiote soon after kick-off, earning him a two-match ban. He was then given a straight red for foul and abusive language towards referee Mike Dean after the final whistle.
Benin forward Sessegnon was dismissed in the second-half for violent conduct after elbowing Tiote.
Both players will miss the Black Cats' FA Cup quarter-final clash with Everton and Premier League games against Liverpool and Blackburn. Cattermole will be relegated to the stands when Sunderland host QPR on March 24.
Newcastle battled back from a 1-0 deficit at half-time to draw Sunday's Tyne-Wear derby at St James' Park 1-1, thanks to a stoppage time goal from substitute Shola Ameobi.
The bad-tempered match saw referee Dean issue two red cards and eight yellows as well as award a penalty to either side. Sunderland's Niklas Bendtner converted his but Newcastle's Demba Ba had his spot kick saved by Simon Mignolet.
Source: AFP
