Three big Newcastle United players walking a suspension tightrope going into Brentford game

Newcastle United now have three important players one booking away from an automatic one-match suspension.

Recently Dan Burn served a one-game ban for picking up five yellow cards and while Joelinton and Fabian Schar have been toeing that line for several games now, the risk is still there.

Fabian Schar would be a difficult loss to take with so few options available to fill that right-sided centre-back role. Emil Krafth would usually be the go-to replacement but he's out until the new year after breaking his collarbone.

Slotting in Tino Livramento or Kieran Trippier into the role, or at a push, Lloyd Kelly, could work for one game but we'd still rather not.

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Sandro Tonali has joined Fabian Schar and Joelinton on four yellow cards

Joelinton is an easier one to deal with given Newcastle's abundance of midfielders, however, with Joelinton it comes down to which role he's filling at the time of his suspension as to who steps in to cover for him.

The Brazilian has rarely played the same role twice this season such is his versatility and eagerness to please his manager.

After picking up a booking against Liverpool on Wednesday night, Sandro Tonali now joins Schar and Joelinton on that tightrope.

Losing more than one of them for the same game could be an issue

Like Joelinton, replacing Tonali isn't so much of an issue in terms of personnel, but the Italian international is finding his form and settling into his role at the club, finally, after such a disruptive first 18 months at the club.

The worst-case scenario is that more than one of the three gets booked in the same game and that would cause a massive balance issue for the next game.

The counter resets after 19 games, so if the trio can avoid a booking in the next five matches then they get their slate wiped clean.