Hughes rounds on banned Cisse for 'crazy' challenge

QPR lose £4.5m striker for another four games – and drop into bottom three

Mark Hughes branded the challenge by Djibril Cisse that led to the forward's second sending off in only his fifth start for Queens Park Rangers as "crazy".

Cisse saw a straight red in the 55th minute at Sunderland yesterday for a two-footed challenge on England forward Fraizer Campbell, who has only just returned after a 17-month absence because of knee problems. Campbell emerged unhurt but QPR did not. Having trailed by a single goal when the striker was dismissed, they capitulated, conceding a further two from James McClean and Stephane Sessegnon before a late consolation. The defeat plunged Rangers back into the Premier League's bottom three and brought a scathing reaction from Hughes.

"It's a crazy challenge by Djibril," he said. "He knows that. It's compromised us. That will hurt us. When we've been able to keep him on the pitch he's been excellent for us. What was said is for the dressing room but suffice to say I wasn't too delighted. We can't really dwell on it."

Cisse, a £4.5m January deadline day signing from Lazio, was shown a red card on his home debut and received a three-game ban. He now sits out another four games.

Joey Barton was an unused substitute on his first return to the North-east since leaving Newcastle last summer. He taunted the Sunderland supporters by making reference to Newcastle's 5-1 victory against their rivals last season.

Cisse out to lunge as QPR collapse