NEIL Lennon is getting ready to crack the whip at Wanderers and clamp down on ill-discipline.

The Whites have already picked up three red cards in their opening nine games – more than the whole of last season.

Following suspensions for Jay Spearing and Dorian Dervite, the Whites will now be without the Derik Osede for today’s clash with Championship leaders Brighton, and Lennon admits the situation is becoming a cause for concern.

“We are big on discipline and that’s three red cards so it is something we need to address,” he told The Bolton News.

“We are losing players for a game through suspension and it is important we maintain some kind of consistency of team selection, particularly at the back.

“I don’t like it and it is important we have 11 players on the pitch at all times. There is a code of conduct we want to adhere to so three red cards is disappointing.”

Along with the three red cards Wanderers have also picked up 14 yellows, leaving the club level with Preston North End on 23 disciplinary points in the Championship Fair Play table.

Both Neil Danns and Mark Davies have picked up three cautions apiece but it has been the suspensions to Spearing, Dervite and Derik that have caused most consternation for the Whites boss.

“It is frustrating but when you look at the incidents separately, I think Jay’s against Derby County was unlucky,” he said.

“Dorian’s at Middlesbrough was uncalled for – I can’t defend it really – and I think Derik’s last weekend at Huddersfield was maybe a bit of naivety. I think he might have got lost in the game through a lack of experience.

“But we will discipline the players ourselves if needs be because it’s something I want to address.”

Lennon is expected to bring fit-again David Wheater into the middle of his defence today for his first start since March.

Dervite is still a fortnight from returning to action after injuring his ankle in training.

Wanderers picked up just two red cards in each of the last two seasons but while their discipline has gone off the rails recently, they still have some making up to do to match the eight red cards they got in all competitions during their first season back in the Premier League in 2001/02.

n Just for fun – can you name the seven players who saw red that season? Hint, one player was sent off twice? Log on to theboltonnews.co.uk/sport for the answer.