Sam Allardyce: We were 'gobsmacked' when Adam Johnson pleaded guilty

Pressure is mounting on the Black Cats to explain what they knew and when.

Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce has insisted he only played Adam Johnson while he awaited trail on child sex offences because the player continued to protest his innocence.

The 28-year-old midfielder, who was sacked by the club after admitting charges of engaging in sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl and grooming on the eve of his court appearance last month, was convicted on a further count of sexual activity with a child and acquitted of another on Wednesday.