PAOLO DI CANIO has warned suspended midfielder Craig Gardner that he must improve under pressure, or risk losing his place in the side for crucial matches.

Gardner was sent off for dangerous challenge on Charlie Adam in last Monday's 1-1 draw with Stoke City and will subsequently miss tomorrow's game with Southampton at the Stadium of Light and next weekend's final game at Tottenham.

His absence creates an even bigger void in Di Canio's squad for the final two games with the Black Cats boss having already lost Stephane Sessegnon, who is currently serving a three-match ban for his dismissal in the 6-1 defeat to Aston Villa.

It leaves Di Canio short of options in midfield and he will have to reshuffle his pack once again to fill the gap left by Gardner when Mauricio Pochettino's side come to Wearside tomorrow.

Gardner has largely remained at right-back since Di Canio arrived last month meaning the Black Cats boss will have to decide between Jack Colback or Phil Bardsley to replace the Solihull-born midfielder.

It will also mean change around in midfield, which could see David Vaughan come into the centre with Seb Larsson moving out wide to replace Adam Johnson, who is likely to play in the hole behind Danny Graham.

Gardner's red card on Monday isn't the first time he has lost his cool in crucial games as he was sent off in the penultimate game of the season Birmingham were relegated in 2011.

Since arriving, Di Canio has not held back on his opinions of the squad he inherited from Martin O'Neill and the fiery Italian has warned Gardner he will risk losing his place in the team if he continues to let the occasion get the better of him.

"Craig Gardner had the same situation at Birmingham with two games to go and he did the same thing," Di Canio said. "It probably means he has to improve under the pressure.

"The challenge (on Charlie Adam) was bad, it was bad. It was 40-60 (in Adams' favour).

"He should have slowed him down and allowed Adam to keep the ball. It was a silly, silly, silly challenge.

"Heart and passion don't mean you have to tackle an opponent in this manner.

"It happened in the past to him. It probably proves he has a problem with this."

But while he admits the challenge on Adam was reckless, Di Canio admitted he will work with Gardner in a bid to eradicate clumsy red cards.

He said: "I can work with him, I can help because if next year we're in a cup semi-final and are 1-0 down the pressure is high then too, even for a good team. I have to think how to select my players.

"I can help him probably. We have to be careful but it's done and we will work on it."

Gardner's suspension also means Di Canio will be without the club's top three scorers for the rest of the season.

Between them, Fletcher, Sessegnon and Gardner have scored 24 of Sunderland's 40 Premier League goals this season and not having the trio for the last two games could be detrimental to the Black Cats' quest to stay in the top flight.

A win tomorrow would all but assure their participation in the Premier League next season because of their superior goal difference, but anything less could see their fight go right down to the wire.

Having to win against Champions League-chasing Tottenham next Sunday wouldn't be an ideal scenario for Di Canio and his men, but the Black Cats boss believes his remaining available players are capable of guiding the club to safety.

Having Connor Wickham at his disposal would have boosted Di Canio's attacking power. However, despite claims he is on the verge of a return, it is unlikely he will be involved at the Stadium of Light tomorrow.