The red cards shown to Sunderland duo Lee Cattermole and Stephane Sessegnon on Sunday will keep the pair out for an extended period with Cattermole being handed a four-match ban, while Sessegnon was suspended three matches. Both players were shown red cards by referee Mike Dean during a feisty Tyne-Wear derby against Newcastle and their actions will now miss key contests in both the league and the FA Cup.
Cattermole was already looking at a suspension when he picked up his 10th yellow card of the season after just 45 seconds, but he was then shown a red card after the final whistle for abusive language towards the referee. The 10th yellow card was good for a two-match ban and then the red card tacked on two more matches, giving him his four-match suspension.
Sessegnon's suspension is the result of his elbow to Cheik Tiote. Dean showed him a red card immediately and with it came the three-match suspension.
The bans will keep both players out out of Sunderland's FA Cup quarterfinal at Everton, as well as league matches against Liverpool and Blackburn. Cattermole will also miss Queens Park Rangers' visit to the Stadium of Light.