The Frenchman was sent off against Norwich’s Under-21 side after a headbutt, but could still feature in the match between the two first-team squads this weekend.
Sunderland midfielder Yann M’Vila is free to make his debut for the club this weekend in the home game against Norwich, despite having been sent off for a headbutt on Jamar Loza in the the Under-21’s weekend win over the Canaries development side.
The Sunday fixture was seen as an opportunity for the France international to build up his fitness and get a little game time under his belt before turning out for the Black Cats first team, but ended up with an early bath for the 25-year-old after he was dismissed for a red card in the 3-1 victory.
Development coach Robbie Stockdale, speaking after the game, defended the player for what happened, even though he admitted he was considering substituting the Frenchman as he tired.
“It’s his first game back and he wants to make an impression,” Stockdale is quoted as telling the Sunderland Echo.
“He’s seen his team-mate thrown to the floor – which I thought the referee could have controlled better – and he was a little bit daft.
“It’s a shame because he was doing okay and I was just about to take him off.”
M’Vila, who joined on loan from Rubin Kazan last week, is still available to make his full debut against Norwich’s first team at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, because his three-match ban only applies to Under-21 games.
Black Cats fans will surely be hoping the former Rennes man, who suffered a two-year international ban by the French FA after an unauthorised night out during Under-21 duty, will demonstrate a little more restraint in his attempts to make an impression if he is selected by Dick Advocaat against the Canaries.
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