Already set to be absent for much of the first month of the year on African Nations Cup duty with his country, Safri was shown the yellow card in the first half of City's impressive victory at Bramhall Lane, their third in a row.
Nigel Worthington's squad is stretched to its limit at least until the transfer window opens, but at least Safri will be available for clashes with Burnley and Leicester City prior to his suspension for the New Year match with the Lilywhites. The trip to the Walkers Stadium on New Year's Eve may now be the influential midfielder's last league appearance until Morocco exit their continent's showpiece tournament.