Kevin Blackwell refused to condemn Sun Jihai after he was sent off 19 minutes into his Sheffield United debut in the 3-1 win over KVK Tienen.The China international, a free signing from Manchester City, made his debut for the Blades in the friendly in Belgium, but was dismissed for two yellow card offences.

Blackwell told the club's official website: "Sun was a bit too eager to show people what he can do. I think that kind of enthusiasm will go down very well at Bramall Lane.

"I thought the two yellow cards were unlucky. The challenges were nothing really and I'd have preferred it if the referee had have asked us to take him off, but these things happen in football.

"He was unfortunate, but I must say that I like his attitude and with it we will win more games than we lose."

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