Ramires, the Chelsea midfielder, has accepted a four-match ban for violent conduct and will miss the final three league fixtures of the season.

The Brazilian chose not to contest a charge from the FA which related to an altercation with Sunderland's Sebastian Larsson.

The charge usually carries a three-match suspension but another game was added as Ramires had also been sent off for violent conduct last month in a match with Aston Villa.

His decision to accept the punishment rules him first out of the trip to face title rivals Liverpool - a match for which Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has claimed he will select a weakened team - as well as meetings with Norwich City and Cardiff City. The fourth match will comprise the first domestic match of next season.