Sunderland boss Jack Ross has revealed he's snubbing the players currently at the Stadium of Light who want a move, stating there's 'no point' in involving them in first team matters.

A number of players are expected to depart the Black Cats before the season kicks off, with Didier Ndong and Papy Djilobodji yet to return for pre-season training and have had disciplinary proceedings started against them.

Lamine Kone has not gone with the squad on their pre-season Portugal trip as he confirmed he wants to leaves, and both Wahbi Khazri and Bryan Oviedo are not due to return for a fortnight

Speaking to the Shields Gazette, Ross explained that some players might be caught in two minds about staying and that it was up to him to make the call.

He then referred to the want-away stars; "Others might have made up their minds completely that they don’t want to be here, and that is an easy one for me because there is no point in me involving people who don’t want to be here. That’s an ongoing process because you start to get a feel for things when the players are back and you can speak to them."

Ross does expect more departures as well as four or five new faces before the season starts, but fans will be delighted to see misfits not featuring in pre season.

Last campaign Simon Grayson played Djilobodji, Jeremain Lens and Wahbi Khazri in friendlies when they had little intention of staying for the Championship challenge.

The Verdict

It might seem an obvious statement from Jack Ross, but history proves that not all managers have been quite as obvious in their pre-season selection.

It is important to get those that don't want to be there out of the club as soon as possible to give fans on Wearside every chance of having something to cheer this season.

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