Huddersfield Town are hoping Martin Cranie gets through Saturday’s Championship clash with Middlesbrough without a yellow card.
That would mean he avoids the same one-match ban which will keep Harry Bunn out against Boro at the John Smith’s Stadium, where head coach David Wagner takes charge for the first time.
Players are only hit with a suspension for reaching five bookings if they come before November 30.
There’s a two-match ban if 10 are accrued before the second Sunday in April.
And any player who gets 15 this season will have to serve a three-match suspension.
Bunn will be the third Town player banned for reaching five cautions after Dean Whitehead and Joel Lynch.
Former Boro midfielder Whitehead picked up his sixth yellow in Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday.
Boro have skipper and midfielder Grant Leadbitter serving a one-match ban for five bookings.
The influential former Ipswich Town player scored both his side’s goals in last season’s 2-1 win at the John Smith’s Stadium.
The winner was a last-minute penalty.
This time, Boro arrive third in the table and on the back of five wins in their last six games in all competitions.
Aitor Karanka’s side host Everton in the Capital One Cup quarter-finals next Tuesday.
Town are 21st, above the drop zone only on goal difference, and have taken just one point from the last 15 available.
