Huddersfield Town centre-back, Richard Stearman, finds himself walking a tightrope heading into tonight's clash with Birmingham City in the Sky Bet Championship. 

Stearman has been a key part of Huddersfield's positive start to life under Carlos Corberan, but he's struggled with discipline and has already picked up four bookings in just seven appearances.

The fourth of those came in Saturday's defeat to Preston North End, with Stearman involved in the afters following Brad Potts' crunching tackle on Fraizer Campbell on 44 minutes.

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The 33-year-old now has to avoid a booking in the next 12 fixtures to completely duck a one-game ban.

Ahead of tonight's clash with Birmingham in the Championship, Corberan was quizzed on Stearman and the tightrope he now finds himself walking so early in the season.

As per Yorkshire Live, he said: "Every player knows it's important to play without yellow cards. For me, it's easier to defend better without these.

"As soon as you have that yellow, you need to be more careful.

"Of course, we'll accommodate some yellows throughout the season but we need to be ready to adapt those situations. It's always important to have players with experience in the Championship.

"Richard has experience, too, in higher divisions. He's been in all sorts of different situations, contexts and moments.

"Experienced players give you stability. Richard is playing because he is doing a very good performance every game.

"The experience within the squad is important to have, but at the same time it's the performances what move the player either into or out of the first XI."

Naby Sarr is suspended tonight against Birmingham, with Stearman's fellow centre-back receiving his marching orders for hauling down Emil Riis Jakobsen in the 78th minute.

Stearman is expected to start at centre-back this evening against Blues despite being just a single booking away from suspension.

The Verdict

Stearman has been a key part of Huddersfield's strong start in the Championship. He's experienced and has stepped up his game considerably since Corberan arrived.

However, discipline is a an issue. He could've avoided his booking on Saturday, but his passion meant he was incensed by Potts' foul.

That kind of thing needs to stop now. He might get booked in the coming 12 games, but the needless yellows need to be a thing of the past.

Thoughts? Let us know!