Andonian interest wanes as wage bill saga rumbles on

SUNDERLAND will not follow up their interest in trialist Gael Andonian – the Black Cats unable to add to their wage bill until Papy Djilobodji and Didier Ndong’s situations are resolved.

Armenia international centreback Andonian was available as a free agent after leaving Marseille this summer and he spent time training with the Black Cats a fortnight ago, playing for the under-23s in their win against West Bromat the beginning of last week.

At that stage, Ross was keen to take another look at the 23-year-old and tomorrow’s Premier League Two game against Norwich City on Wearside would have been the ideal opportunity.

However, those plans have now changed and Andonian has moved on. “There will be nothing on that,” Ross said of Andonian.

“We had a decision to make in terms of how he fitted into the squad but equally now we have some things to consider in terms of where we are with Papy and Didier and how they were not resolved before most of those European windows closed.

“We need to address those first.

“I am not complaining about that, I did say at the time as a squad we are in a healthy position in terms of what we have in the time we had to put it together.”

Sunderland intend to terminate defender Djilobodji’s contract after he reported back for training a month late and out of shape, while midfielder Ndong is still AWOL.