16 Watford, Leeds United, Sheffield United and Championship star one yellow from suspension this week
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Three players run the risk of suspension as Watford make the trip to Leeds United on Tuesday night with Championship fixtures coming thick and fast following the international break.
The Hornets will look to bounce back from a somewhat surprising 3-0 defeat at the hands of Luton Town last weekend while the Whites are buoyed by a 2-0 victory over Sheffield United on Friday night.
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Hide AdNow 10 fixtures into the Championship season, some players are walking a suspension tightrope for an accumulation of yellow cards. EFL rules stipulate that any player who picks up five yellow cards in the season before the 19th fixture will receive a one game ban.
Sheffield United star Vini Souza, Bristol City man Mark Sykes and Preston North End midfielder Ben Whiteman have already hit the five card limit but there are 16 players in the second tier currently one yellow card away from suspension.
For Watford, defender Ryan Porteous will have to sit out of this weekend's meeting with Blackburn Rovers should he receive a yellow card against Leeds United tonight. The Scotsman has played in seven of Watford's 10 league matches so far this season and has been shown a yellow card in each of his last three outings, as well as against Coventry City earlier this season.
The 25-year-old found himself making disciplinary headlines this summer too having been sent off for Scotland in the nation's opening Euro 2024 fixture against Germany. He then missed the following matches against Switzerland and Hungary.
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Hide AdPoretous has opened up about the consequences of that card and how tough he found it to return to football. He told The Voices of the Vic podcast: "I went away with my Mrs for four days then came right back to it. I knew when I came right back in that I wasn't ready.
"I wasn't ready mentally. Physically I wouldn't have needed a pre-season because I didn't really stop at all, but mentally I wasn't ready. I had conversations with [Watford manager] Tom Cleverley, he dipped me in and out and left me out for a few pre-season games.
"It was really difficult, without this sounding like a sob story and everyone feeling sorry for me, maybe it could help other people who get in this situation. Honestly, I couldn't even tell you the frame of mind that I was in, it was really horrible and I wouldn't wish it upon anyone.


"It's hard but I think it's brave to come out and say all this stuff, I'm at the stage now where I'm happy to do it because I think it can help others. It was the toughest part of my life, and up to the last month I've been completely back on track and I'm feeling back to normal, probably happier than I was before."
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Hide AdPorteous isn't the only player in tonight's game with a possible suspension hanging over him. Leeds United duo Joe Rodon and Junior Firpo are also both on four yellow cards this season.
QPR and Millwall do not have players running the risk of imminent suspension but clubs travelling to London will have bookings on their mind. Coventry City man Josh Eccles will be handed a ban if booked at Loftus Road tonight with Joe Edwards in a similar situation when Plymouth Argyle visit The Den tomorrow.
Championship players on four yellow cards
- Blackburn Rovers - Hayden Carter, Lewis Travis, Tyrhys Dolan
- Bristol City - Joe Williams
- Coventry City - Josh Eccles
- Leeds United - Joe Rodon, Junior Firpo
- Luton Town - Alfie Doughty, Jordan Clark
- Norwich City - Callum Doyle
- Plymouth Argyle - Joe Edwards
- Preston North End - Andrew Hughes
- Sheffield United - Anel Ahmedhodzic, Gustavo Hamer
- Stoke City - Ben Wilmot
- Watford - Ryan Porteous
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