We are now approaching the cut-off point for a one-match ban for five yellow cards from the first 19 games of the Premier League season

Ange Postecoglou stated in his pre-match press conference on Friday that he’ll “go nuts” if he loses anymore Tottenham players in the weeks ahead. Having to deal with a real injury crisis at present and Rodrigo Bentancur’s seven-match domestic ban, Spurs will now have to do without Pape Matar Sarr and James Maddison for the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Liverpool due to suspension.

In terms of suspensions, we are now approaching a very important date in the Premier League calendar. As ever, any player who obtains five yellow cards from the first 19 Premier League games of the season will receive a one-match ban as punishment.

Tottenham know all about this as Yves Bissouma had to sit out last Sunday’s 5-0 win at Southampton after collecting his fifth booking of the league term the previous weekend against Chelsea. The team’s 17th Premier League game of the campaign comes against Liverpool on Sunday, with Nottingham Forest and Wolves then to follow over the festive period.

The full-time whistle of the Wolves game will represent the halfway stage of the league season for Tottenham. It is a key date as any player to pick up five yellow cards after that point will not receive a one-match ban.

Instead, a player will be suspended for two games should they be cautioned ten times across their first 32 Premier League matches. Bentancur is the Tottenham player most at risk of receiving a one-match ban for five yellow cards as he is currently on four.

The Uruguayan will have completed his seven-match ban following the conclusion of Sunday’s game against Liverpool, meaning he is available for selection for the Boxing Day trip to Nottingham Forest. In order to avoid another ban, the midfielder will have to steer clear of a yellow card in the Forest and Wolves matches.

A yellow card at the City Ground would see him be suspended for the Wolves home match, with a booking against the West Midlands club ruling him out of Tottenham’s next league encounter against Newcastle United. Micky van de Ven is also on four yellow cards as things stand but he looks set to avoid a possible suspension due to his current injury.

Speaking on Friday, Postecoglou mentioned that “it will be in the new year” when Van de Ven and Cristian Romero return to action. He said: “Ben [Davies] is first cab off the rank. We’re kind of hoping next week at some point he will join in full training which will give him a chance.