REGIS LE BRIS and Luke O'Nien refused to blame Jobe Bellingham for Sunderland not picking up three points at struggling QPR as the Black Cats saw their lead at the top of the Championship cut to three points.

Bellingham will miss the trip to Preston on Wednesday, the home match against Coventry on November 9 and the encounter at Millwall after the international break after his second-half sending off at Loftus Road.

The 19-year-old saw red for a reckless challenge on Rangers striker Zan Celar after he had taken a heavy touch then caught the Slovenia international high across the shin.

Le Bris refused to say if he thought the decision was the right one from referee Ben Toner but any potential appeal from Sunderland over the decision is unlikely to succeed.

Le Bris said: "It is difficult to judge. It wasn't so violent and Jobe was clear after the foul.

"It obviously changed the game and for Jobe and for us it may be some games without him but I trust the referees."

Sunderland defender Luke O'Nien, who alongside Chris Mepham was outstanding at the heart of the defence as QPR pressed for a winner following Bellingham's dismissal, said there were no recriminations towards the young midfielder after the game.

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O'Nien said: “He puts in tackles. Part of playing the game at the high intensity he does is his quality, both in and out of possession. 

"He's been one of the best players in the league this season and we'll miss him next week but he's still a vital part of the group and we'll look forward to having him back.

“Jobe didn't need to give us a message after the game. You could see how disappointed he was, so the boys will just get around him. 

"We know what he's delivered to the scene this season. He just needs to go rest up and just get ready for the game when he's back. He's been one of the best players in the league this season."

Le Bris said he hopes Chris Rigg will return to training this week but is unsure if the 19-year-old would recover in time from the injury he picked up in the win over Oxford to be fit to face Preston.

The Frenchman said: "He is okay and should be back in training next week. I don't want to comment more because I am not a doctor but he seems okay."

When asked if Rigg would be fit to face Preston, Le Bris said: "We will need to see and wait to find out."