SUNDERLAND could receive an unexpected disciplinary boost with Wahbi Khazri set to miss a huge chunk of the Africa Cup of Nations after he was sent off for punching an opponent during Tunisia’s friendly with Mauritania.

Khazri, who has started four of the Black Cats’ last five matches after initially struggling to convince David Moyes of his qualities, was Tunisia’s weekend hero as his successful penalty secured a World Cup qualifying win over Libya.

WATCH WAHBI KHAZRI'S INTERNATIONAL DISMISSAL HERE:

However, the winger went from hero to zero on Tuesday as a touchline altercation with Mauritania’s Moustapha Diaw ended with him raising his arm and striking his opponent in the face.

Unsurprisingly, Khazri received a straight red card – more surprisingly, Diaw was also sent off for his role in the incident – and while red cards in friendlies do not result in an automatic suspension, governing bodies can intervene if an offence is deemed “exceptionally violent”.

Kharzi’s actions would appear to fit that bill, and if the Confederation of African Football opt to review his dismissal, he would almost certainly face an international suspension of at least three matches.

With Tunisia not due to play again until their opening game of January’s Africa Cup of Nations, a lengthy ban could work in Sunderland’s favour.

Tunisia would be understandably reluctant to select Khazri for next year’s tournament in Gabon if he was unavailable for the group stages, which could result in him remaining on Wearside at the turn of the year.

Sunderland are set to lose Didier Ndong and Lamine Kone to the Africa Cup of Nations, and could also find themselves without Papy Djilobodji if the centre-half forces his way back into the Senegal squad in the next couple of months.

Meanwhile, the Premier League have rejected Liverpool’s attempts to move their trip to Sunderland’s Stadium of Light on Monday, January 2.

With his side’s New Year’s Eve game against Manchester City having been put back to tea-time, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp had argued it was unfair to expect his players to turn out again on Wearside less than 48 hours later.

However, the FA have ruled that the game must remain at its original date of January 2, with a 3pm kick-off as planned.