The bizarre loop hole that means Bruno Guimaraes could get a shorter ban

Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes could be handed a shorter punishment if he is sent off against Tottenham this weekend - rather than being booked - as he approaches ten yellow cards for the season.

The Brazilian star is currently on nine yellow cards and is at risk of picking up a two-match ban if he is handed another one inside his first 32 games - with the defining fixture coming against Spurs.

Guimaraes' combative nature as a player under Eddie Howe means he throws himself into tackles and that physical style saw him pick up six successive bookings between December and January.

But a strange turn of events would see Guimaraes avoid the longer two-match ban and instead pick up a one-match ban - if he is sent off via two yellow cards, as reported by talkSport.

Guimaraes's team-mate Anthony Gordon has already benefited from a similar loophole this season.

Gordon was on eight bookings before their 4-3 win over West Ham last month, but the winger received two yellows during the game and was sent off.

But despite technically receiving two yellow cards, he was given just a one match ban - missing their 1-1 draw against Everton before returning for the 1-0 win at Fulham last week.

After that, Gordon went back to being on a total of eight yellow cards.

The next cut-off point after ten bookings in 32 games is 15 yellow cards in 38 games.

Gordon is having a superb season for the Magpies despite their stuttering season, scoring 10 goals in all competitions and providing six assists.

Guimaraes, meanwhile, has also impressed with four goals and six assists from 43 appearances this term.

Newcastle go into their game against Tottenham just two points off sixth-placed Man United as boss Howe looks to finish as high as possible.