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Which players could be suspended for Euro 2016 knockout stages?

Cahill

As we near the last 16 stage of Euro 2016, we look at the players who are one booking away from a potential suspension.

Only one player was suspended for match day three - Albania's Burim Kukeli for the win over Romania on Sunday - but a whole host of key players are risking participation in the last 16 stage having picked up bookings in the opening games.

It takes only two cautions to pick up a suspension, but UEFA rules for Euro 2016 stipulate that the yellows attached to players will expire on completion of the quarter-final stage, and are not carried forward to the semi-finals.

France's Olivier Giroud shows his frustration
Image: France's Olivier Giroud was rested for the clash against Switzerland

For England, only Gary Cahill is at risk, but which other stars could miss crucial knockout matches if they see yellow once more?

Players one booking away from a suspension:

Group A

Didier Deschamps replaced booked pair Olivier Giroud and N'Golo Kante with Andre-Pierre Gignac and Yohan Cabaye against Switzerland on Sunday night, while key Swiss midfielder and new Arsenal signing Granit Xhaka is also treading on thin ice going into the last 16 stage.

Albania: Amir Abrashi, Ergys Kace, Mergim Mavraj, Alexander Soderlund, Migjen Basha, Denis Alibec

Also See:

France: Olivier Giroud, N'Golo Kante, Adil Rami, Laurent Koscielny

Mihai Pintilii of Romania chases down Granit Xhaka of Switzerland
Image: Granit Xhaka is currently on a yellow card

Switzerland: Valon Behrami, Breel Embolo, Fabian Schar, Granit Xhaka

(Romania are eliminated)

Group B

Key defender Cahill is England's only player at risk ahead of the last 16, while Vladimir Weiss, who scored a superb opener for Slovakia in the 2-1 win over Russia, is on a yellow alongside defender Martin Skrtel and four others. Ben Davies is Chris Coleman's only suspension concern for Wales at present.

England: Gary Chaill

Russia: Georgi Schennikov

LILLE, FRANCE - JUNE 15:  Vladimir Weiss of Slovakia scores the opening goal during the UEFA EURO 2016 Group B match between Russia and Slovakia at Stade P
Image: Vladimir Weiss scored Slovakia's opener against Russia in Lille

Slovakia: Jan Durica, Patrik Hrosovsky, Juraj Kucka, Robert Mak, Martin Skrtel, Vladimír Weiss

Wales: Ben Davies

Group C

World champions Germany were unconvincing in their 0-0 draw with Poland, and starters Jerome Boateng, Sami Khedira and Mesut Ozil all picked up yellows. Meanwhile, four of Michael O'Neill's men, including centre-half Jonny Evans, are on a booking.

Germany: Jerome Boateng, Sami Khedira, Mesut Ozil 

Northern Ireland: Craig Cathcart, Stuart Dallas, Jonny Evans, Jamie Ward

Germany's Mesut Ozil, right, drives the ball past Poland's Artur Jedrzejczyk during the Euro 2016 Group C soccer
Image: Mesut Ozil is on a yellow, along with Jerome Boateng and Sami Khedira

Poland: Kamil Grosicki, Bartosz Kapustka, Krzysztof Maczynski, Slawomir Peszko, Lukasz Piszczek

(Ukraine are eliminated)

Group D

Current European champions Spain put Turkey to the sword on Friday, but key centre-back Sergio Ramos is just one booking away from suspension. Having already qualified, Vicente del Bosque could change things around for the final group match against Croatia, who have four players on a yellow.

Croatia: Milan Badelj, Marcelo Brozovic, Ivan Strinic, Domagoj Vida

Czech Republic: David Limbersky, Tomas Sivok

Vicente Del Bosque says Spain will take lessons from their 2014 World Cup exit
Image: Vicente Del Bosque's only suspension concern at present is defender Sergio Ramos

Spain: Sergio Ramos

Turkey: Burak Yılmaz, Cenk Tosun, Hakan Balta, Ozan Tufan, Volkan Sen

Group E

With Italy qualified as group winners already, the only side to do so going into match day three, Antonio Conte may make a host of changes for the clash against Republic of Ireland. Five players are on a yellow, and having previously insisted he would like to use all 23 players in the tournament, a freshen up is likely for Italy. 

Belgium: Thomas Vermaelen, Jan Vertonghen

Italy: Leonardo Bonucci, Gianluigi Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini, Daniele De Rossi, Eder, Thiago Motta

Antonio Conte
Image: Antonio Conte may ring the changes for the final group game with Ireland

Republic of Ireland: Jeff Hendrick, James McCarthy, Glenn Whelan

Sweden: Victor Lindelof, Martin Olsson

Group F

In perhaps the most open group going into the final match day, Portugal have two key players - Pepe and Ricardo Quaresma - on a yellow before their crucial clash with Hungary. Austria have four, including Leicester's Christian Fuchs, while Iceland have three. 

Austria: Christian Fuchs, Martin Harnik, Martin Hinteregger, Alessandro Schöpf

Hungary: Kadar Tamas, Laszlo Kleinheisler, Adam Nagy, Krisztian Nemeth

Pepe in action for Portugal
Image: Portugal's Pepe was booked against Austria

Iceland: Birkir Bjarnason, Johann Gudmundsson, Birkir Saevarsson 

Portugal: Pepe, Ricardo Quaresma

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