Queensland Reds winger Digby Ioane has been suspended for four Super Rugby matches for a lifting tackle on Sharks flanker Marcell Coetzee.

Two previous disciplinary matters relating to dangerous tackles in 2008 counted against Ioane, who will be sidelined until the Reds’ round-nine clash with the Blues in Auckland on the Anzac Day weekend.

He would have missed five games, but the Reds have a bye in round eight.

The Wallabies star’s suspension deepens the Reds’ backline crisis ahead of this weekend’s showdown with the Bulls in Pretoria.