Bardsley is banned for four games after stamp

SCOTLAND defender Phil Bardsley will serve a four-match ban after the club decided not to contest a Football Association charge of violent conduct.

The 26-year-old Sunderland full back was charged on video evidence after appearing to stamp on Chelsea’s Juan Mata during Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at the Stadium of Light.

Bardsley will miss the Black Cats’ Barclays Premier League clashes with Stoke, Norwich, West Brom and Arsenal because of what is effectively his second sending-off of the season.

A club statement said: “Sunderland has confirmed it will not be appealing the Football Association’s charge against Phil Bardsley.

“The FA yesterday advised that the defender would be cited retrospectively following an incident involving Chelsea’s Juan Mata during the first half of the fixture at the Stadium of Light.

“The Scotland international will face a four-match suspension which comes into effect from Sunday’s game against Stoke City at the Stadium of Light.”

Bardsley was sent off for two bookable offences during the 1-0 home defeat by arch-rivals Newcastle on 20 August.

Bardsley’s absence represents a fresh blow for manager Steve Bruce, who saw record signing Asamoah Gyan head for United Arab Emirates side Al-Ain on loan for the rest of the season just hours before kick-off on Saturday.

Bardsley has been one of Bruce’s most dependable men in recent times, operating largely as a left-back rather than in his favoured position on the right last season.

He returned to the right against Chelsea with Republic of Ireland international John O’Shea missing because of a calf problem and O’Shea is still fighting to be fit for Sunday’s visit of the Potters.