Sunderland star already facing a dilemma over yellow card tightrope

Trai Hume of Sunderland
-Credit: (Image: Alan Walter/REX/Shutterstock)


Sunderland defender Trai Hume has admitted he is walking a disciplinary tightrope and reckoned, “I need to manage myself.”

That comment might ring alarm bells for head coach Regis Le Bris as the young defender has expressed publicly he doesn’t want to be booked for a fifth time and miss games. The Black Cats defender is a huge fans’ favourite at the Stadium of Light, and since his arrival in 2022 for £200,000, he’s been one of the club’s most consistent players, making 91 appearances.

The Northern Ireland international topped the Championship roster for tackles last term and there was Premier League interest in him. This time round, Hume has played every minute of Championship football under Le Bris but has managed to pick up four yellow cards in the process – one away from a suspension. The boss has already said he will cross that bridge when he comes to it in terms of reshuffling his pack.

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Speaking after the game against Watford, Hume – who was unable to cut out the cross for the hosts’ first goal – discussed his suspension situation, telling Total Sport: “I know I’m on four yellows. It’s probably my fault to be honest, I’ve had a few rash challenges.

“But I need to manage myself. I don’t want to get booked again. I’ll have to do my best to not get booked because I want to stay in the team and play as many games as possible.”

Hume then explained that he may be less inclined to go into 50/50s in fear of picking up another yellow card.

He added: “I’ll try my best not to change. But if there’s a challenge there that I think might be a bit rough, I might hold myself back a wee bit because if I do get that yellow, I’ll be suspended for a game.”

After 19 games, the one-game suspension for five yellow cards for the season up to that point is no longer valid so Hume may think he can get to that figure without having to miss a match.