SUNDERLAND face losing defender Phil Bardsley to a lengthy suspension after the defender was charged with violent conduct by the Football Association.

The charge relates to an incident during Saturday's home defeat to Chelsea with video replays showing Bardsley planting a boot into the lower back of Juan Mata after the midfielder was tripped by Craig Gardner.

Bardsley was lucky to escape punishment from referee Lee Probert at the time, but FA disciplinary chiefs have since studied footage and charged the defender.

An FA statement read: "The FA has today charged Sunderland defender Phil Bardsley with violent conduct following an incident in his side's home game against Chelsea.

"Bardsley was involved in an incident with Chelsea's Juan Mata during Sunderland's 2-1 defeat at the Stadium of Light on Saturday 10 September.

"Bardsley has until 6pm on Wednesday, September 14 to respond to the charge."

It is understood Sunderland will lodge an appeal against the charge, insisting the stamp was unintentional.

Charges of violent conduct usually amount to a minimum three-game ban, but if Bardsley is found guilty an extra game could be added as the defender has already been sent off this season.

The 26-year-old was given a straight red for a challenge on Fabricio Coloccini in the Black Cats' home defeat to Newcastle United last month.

If the club fail to have the decision overturned, boss Steve Bruce could be without one of his key players for games against Stoke, West Brom, Norwich and Arsenal.

With John O'Shea out with a calf strain and Anton Ferdinand now at Queens Park Rangers, Bruce could be forced to reshuffle his pack.

With Titus Bramble and Michael Turner now fit after knee injuries, Wes Brown could move to right-back with Kieran Richardson filling in on the left.

Meanwhile, after being promised money to spend on a replacement for Asamoah Gyan when the transfer window re-opens in January, Bruce's war chest could also be boosted by the departures of two of his players.

He boss has been trying to reduce the club's wage bill by offloading higher earners such as defensive duo Nyron Nosworthy and Kilgallon, who are both deemed surplus to requirements.

Neither has figured in the first team for a while, but it is understood both are being looked at by Championship clubs.

Birmingham manager Chris Hughton is reportedly interested in Kilgallon, while Reading boss Brian McDermott is said to be keen on Nosworthy.

n Jordan Cook scored twice as Sunderland's reserves beat their Swansea City counterparts 2-0 at the Academy of Light yesterday.

Goalkeeper Keiren Westwood played for Keith Bertschin's side as he looks to keep pressure on current number one Simon Mignolet.

Sunderland: Westwood, Bagnall, Watson (Marrs, 46), Reed, Egan, Laing, Lynch, Gorrin (Armstrong, 69), Cook (Mitchell, 43), Knott, McClean. Subs (not used): Pickford, Martin.