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.