Djilobodji hit with 4-match ban for violent conduct

David Moyes will be fielding himself at centre-back at this rate.

The Scot's selection headache at Sunderland intensified Friday with the news that Papy Djilobodji will sit out four matches. The Football Association retrospectively punished the defender for violent conduct in last Saturday's 2-0 loss at West Bromwich Albion.

Moyes was furious that Djilobodji appeared to swing at Darren Fletcher during a late set-piece in the match, The Telegraph's Luke Edwards reported earlier this week - leaving the manager with just John O'Shea and Lamine Kone, who's barely returned after Ivory Coast's elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations, to choose from at centre-half.

In addition to Djilobodji's suspension, the ex-Everton and Manchester United handler is dealing with long-term injuries to Duncan Watmore, Paddy McNair, Victor Anichebe, Jan Kirchhoff, Lee Cattermole, Lynden Gooch, and Jordan PIckford.

Wahbi Khazri is still away with Tunisia at AFCON, while Steven Pienaar, Jason Denayer, and Javi Manquillo are fighting to prove their fitness ahead of Tuesday's visit from Tottenham Hotspur.