Norwich's Sainz banned for six matches for spitting

Borja Sainz has scored 15 of his 16 goals this season in the Championship

Norwich City's top scorer Borja Sainz has been suspended for six matches after admitting to spitting at Sunderland's Chris Mepham in December.

The Championship's leading scorer has also be fined £12,000 by the Football Association for the incident which took place in the 74th minute of Norwich's 2-1 defeat at the Stadium of Light.

The Spaniard - who has netted 16 goals for the Canaries this season, but has failed to add to that tally since November - said he takes "full responsibility" and "deeply regrets" what he did.

"Spitting at an opponent is completely out of character for me, and my reaction in that moment was unacceptable," said Sainz.

"I want to apologise directly to the opposing player, Chris Mepham, for my behaviour.

"Additionally, I extend my apologies to my team-mates, our coaching staff and our fans. I am deeply disappointed in myself and for letting all of you down through my conduct."

Sainz has started in each of the four games since the spitting incident, helping the Canaries to three wins in an unbeaten run since then.

The suspension means he will miss Saturday's FA Cup third-round tie against Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion, as well as trips to Championship high-flyers Sheffield United and Leeds this month.

He will also be unavailable for games against Swansea City, Watford and Derby County before being available again to return against Preston North End on 11 February.

"While I am saddened to miss the upcoming games, I will use this time to reflect, learn and refocus, so that I can return stronger and continue contributing to the team for the rest of the season," Sainz added.

'Sainz stepped over the line' - Thorup

Norwich head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup was not surprised by the length of the ban and told told BBC Radio Norfolk that Sainz "definitely stepped over the line" in his altercation with Mepham.

"We, of course, support him as much as we can but also make it very clear to him and the team that there are some things you simply cannot do as a football player, and this is probably one of them," Thorup said.

"It's not something we need at this moment of the season and to be without one our best players for six games now - for any team in the Championship or any league - is not ideal. But there is a consequence when you behave like that and we also made it clear that it's not acceptable."

Thorup went on to say that Sainz has struggled with the extra attention given to him by rivals after his prolific start to the season.

"He has been outstanding for us, he has been scoring goals that are up there as some of the best goals this season, and it has probably gone a little bit too fast for him in some ways.

"And it's understandable, I can see also when talking to him that the reason some games have been difficult for him is that there has been so much attention. Some teams they change their line-up, they change their formation, their behaviour only because it's him," he added.

"It's a big step we have to take learning-wise with him because if he ever has ambitions on being a top player in a top team, he needs to expect that this will happen."