Sam Allardyce frustrated to lose Adam Johnson and Emmanuel Eboue

Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce has admitted his frustration at losing Adam Johnson and Emmanuel Eboue from his squad as he attempts to fend off relegation from the Premier League.

The 61-year-old insists Johnson, who has just started a six-year prison sentence for engaging in sexual activity with a child, got exactly what he deserved, but having lost Emmanuel Eboue to a 12-month Fifa ban over a wrangle with a former agent, Allardyce was left bemoaning his misfortune.

Allardyce said: “We have lost a hugely-talented player in Adam Johnson, irrespective of his indiscretions. He’s got what he deserved, but I have lost a talented player that I would have liked to have kept, but it’s taken out of my hands by other factors.

“Emmanuel Eboue — what part might he have played for us in the next eight games? Who knows now? I won’t be able to find out, a man as experienced as him at 32 years old.”

Fifa revealed that Eboue, who signed a short-term deal at the Stadium of Light earlier this month, was facing a year out of the game after a four-year row over a debt owed to former agent Sebastian Boisseau.

The governing body said in a statement: “Emmanuel Eboue, who has represented Cote d’Ivoire and is currently registered for the English club Sunderland AFC, is to serve a ban on taking part in any football-related activity that will last for one year or until he pays the total outstanding amount owed to his former agent if this occurs before the one-year ban has elapsed.”

• Leeds forward Souleymane Doukara has been banned for eight matches by the FA for biting an opponent.

The incident happened early in the second half of the February 23 Sky Bet Championship 1-1 draw with Fulham at Elland Road.

Fulham defender Fernando Amorebieta was the victim of the bite and was booked for his reaction. He was later sent off for a second bookable offence.

A FA statement read: “Souleymane Doukara will serve an eight-match suspension with immediate effect after he was found to have committed an act of violent conduct.”

Leeds have nine games left of the regular season, beginning against Yorkshire rivals Rotherham tomorrow.

Doukara, who has scored five times in 27 appearances this season, will be eligible to return to the team for the final game of the campaign, at Preston, on May 7.

A statement from Leeds United said: “The club is disappointed with the outcome and the length of the ban given to Souleymane Doukara.”