Newcastle United players walking the disciplinary tightrope have four matches to avoid picking up a one-match ban. Players in the Premier League incur an automatic one-match ban if they pick up five yellow cards in the first 19 matches of the season and Newcastle currently have three members of their squad in and around that mark.
Centre back Fabian Schar is the only player sitting on four bookings at present, though Kieran Trippier and Dan Burn are on three apiece. Schar has started all but one of Newcastle's Premier League matches so far this season, with both Trippier and Burn ever presents; all three have played key roles in the Magpies' incredible defensive record.
Newcastle's most likely replacement for Schar at centre back is club captain Jamaal Lascelles, though a slight defensive reshuffle could also allow Matt Targett to come in. Targett is also the clear candidate to come in for Burn in the event of his suspension, while Jacob Murphy and Javier Manquillo would be vying for Trippier's spot.
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The four matches in which the aforementioned trio will have to negotiate are Leeds United (h), Arsenal (a), Fulham (h) and Crystal Palace (a). Newcastle do also face Sheffield Wednesday and Leicester City in that period, but players are not able to serve suspensions for bookings in cup competitions.
The next cut-off point players will have to look towards after the five-yellow card deadline is the 32nd match. Should anyone pick up 10 bookings up to and including that fixture will have to serve a two-match ban.
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