STEVE Cotterill has urged skipper Frank Sinclair to cut out the silly bookings.

The Burnley manager described the defensive woes he has faced all season as "a disaster" ahead of another enforced shuffle for tomorrow's visit to in-form Ipswich Town.

Fit-again Wayne Thomas would appear to be a ready-made replacement for Sinclair, who starts a two-match suspension after picking up 10 bookings to add to the 14 yellows and one red card he received last season.

And Cotterill believes his captain needs to lead by example by cutting out the cards handed down for dissent.

He said: "Earlier in the season we had seven centre back partnerships and that area has been a disaster this year.

"Just when we think we've nailed something down, someone gets injured or suspended.

"Sometimes Frank has been unlucky, but he has been a little bit reckless. I know he won't change because that's the way he plays.

"Last year and this year he's got a lot of bookings, but that's how he plays the game.

"You do run the risk, but a couple of times he has been booked for dissent, which I think is stupid."