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Sunderland have started disciplinary action against Didier Ndong and Papy Djilobodji after the pair failed to report back for pre-season training today.

And, while the squad travelled to Portugal for a training camp yesterday, Lamine Kone has stayed behind on Wearside after making it clear that he no longer wants to play for the club.

While Kone did return to the Academy of Light for pre-season training with the bulk of the players on Wednesday, Ndong and Djilobodji were not expected back until today, hence manager Jack Ross telling the media on Friday that no one had gone AWOL despite warnings from unnamed agents that their clients would not come back to the club under any circumstances.

(Image: Sunderland AFC)

Ndong spent the second half of last season on loan at Watford, while Djilobodji spent the entire campaign at French side Dijon, and while the convention is that players return for pre-season with their parent club, all such loan deal officially expire at the end of June.

But even allowing for that, Djilobodji and Ndong should have been back in training this morning but failed to show.

And Sunderland will now begin internal disciplinary proceedings against the pair which could mean they face fines or - depending whether they report back late or not all - potentially more serious measures.

Sunderland director Charlie Methven said: “Papy Djilobodji and Didier Ndong were both due to return for pre-season training at Sunderland today but did not do so.

“The club will therefore begin internal disciplinary proceedings against them, and will decide what measures to take in the circumstances.”

(Image: Sunderland AFC)

Ndong , who joined the Black Cats from Lorient in a deal worth up to £13m two years ago, looked set to join Italian side Torino last month after the clubs agreed a fee, but the move broke down because the player could not agree personal terms.

Djilobodji also joined Sunderland two years ago, this time from Chelsea in an £8m deal, but was rapidly discarded after a series of poor performances.

As for Kone, his current situation is not quite so clear-cut because he did report back as instructed.

But the fact that he has not travelled to Portugal is telling, and if it emerges that he has refused to travel - as opposed to being told that he was not required - then he could also find himself in trouble.

It is safe to say that all three players have no future on Wearside and Sunderland will be happy to let them leave this summer.

However the Black Cats are determined not to allow the players to force their way out on the cheap, with owner Stewart Donald saying in recent weeks that the club must be properly compensated if players want to move on.