Jay Stansfield is the latest Birmingham City player walking the disciplinary tightrope.
Juninho Bacuna served a one-match ban against Southampton two weeks ago for accumulating five yellow cards, and Krystian Bielik is due to miss this weekend’s trip to Sunderland. Polish midfielder Bielik picked up his fifth booking of the season after coming on as a substitute in the draw with Ipswich Town on Saturday.
And star striker Stansfield – who is Blues’ top scorer with five goals – is now in danger of suspension. The 20-year-old has tallied four yellow cards to date in matches with Watford, QPR, Huddersfield and Southampton.
Blues manager Wayne Rooney will be hoping Stansfield can avoid another booking until after the amnesty on December 2. The first yellow card amnesty of the season, which means players will no longer receive a ban for five bookings, comes into force after the 19th game of the season.
Blues still have to play Sunderland, Sheffield Wednesday, Blackburn Rovers and Rotherham before it kicks in. In order to avoid a ban, Stansfield must not receive a yellow card in any of those matches.
There are other Blues players who are in danger of incurring a suspension. Croatian midfielder Ivan Sunjic, who has started three of Rooney’s four games in charge, is currently on three bookings. Kevin Long and Manny Longelo have also been booked three times.
