Sunderland have sacked Didier Ndong after the player failed to report for pre-season training and only returned to the club on Monday.

The Black Cats have opted to sever ties with the midfielder, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Watford, after he went AWOL throughout the summer.

Ndong failed to make a single appearance for the Hornets while on loan at Vicarage Road and was included in only a handful of matchday squads.

Sunderland will now look to pursue compensation from the 24-year-old and made their position on his departure abundantly clear in a club statement.

It read: “Sunderland AFC has given notice under its contract with Didier Ndong. The player, who was under contract with the club until June 2021, failed to return to Sunderland for pre-season training in July as scheduled, nor in the subsequent months that followed. No reason was given for his failure to report and continued absence.

“As a result, the club has accepted Didier Ndong’s repudiatory breaches of contract and notice of the same has been provided to the player.

“Sunderland AFC does so whilst retaining the right to pursue the player and any club he may subsequently join in relation to compensation for the value of the player.”