Dan Ballard's potential two-game suspension explained - what it could mean for Newcastle United clash

Sunderland defender Dan Ballard is walking a disciplinary tightrope ahead of the Black Cats' upcoming games against Rotherham United and Preston North End.

Sunderland are next in action against Rotherham United at the New York Stadium in the Championship this Friday. Michael Beale's side will then face Preston North End on New Year's Day at the Stadium of Light before the big FA Cup clash against Newcastle United on January 6.

Ballard, however, is sitting on eight yellow cards after receiving a caution against Bristol City last week, though he avoided a yellow against Hull City on Boxing Day at the MKM Stadium as Beale's side ran out 1-0 winners following Jack Clarke's late goal. Should Ballard pick-up a ninth and tenth yellow card in the two coming league games, the ex-Arsenal defender will be forced to serve a two-match ban.

That had prompted questions from Sunderland fans with many wondering if that would mean Ballard would miss the clash against Newcastle United in the FA Cup should he be cautioned against Rotherham United and Preston North End.

The Echo reached out to The FA and The EFL for clarity regarding suspensions and can confirm that cautions are competition specific as are the suspensions which arise from accumulating them. That means that Ballard will be suspension-free for the game against Newcastle United even if he picks up two cautions during the next two games against Rotherham United and Preston North End.

FA rules state that: "If a player receives two yellow cards in a cup campaign, they will be suspended for the next fixture in that competition. However, any single yellow cards are expunged following the quarter-final stages."

Red cards, however, are not competition-specific and if a Sunderland player is sent off during a league game before the FA Cup clash then they could face missing the game against Newcastle United depending on which game the red card came in and the length of the ban.

FA rules also state that If a player is yellow carded 20 times during their league season, then they will be charged with misconduct. The cut-off point for players nearing 10 yellow cards in the Championship is 37 games and Sunderland have played just 24, leaving Ballard in an awkward position.