Didier Ndong: Gabon send Sunderland midfielder home after 'absence'

Ndong has 18 caps for Gabon and has played 10 times for Sunderland this season

Sunderland midfielder Didier Ndong has not turned up for Gabon international duty and has been sent back to England, the Gabonese Football Federation says.

The 22-year-old, who signed for the Black Cats for £13.6m in August, was due to play in a World Cup qualifier against Mali on Saturday.

Gabon says Ndong has been in capital city Libreville since Monday.

They accuse him of a "glaring absence" and stress he has not communicated "any possible trouble" he may be in.

Ndong - who has 18 caps for his country - was due to report to Gabon training on Tuesday and the Gabonese Federation believe "it is common knowledge" he was in Libreville a day earlier.

In a statement, they added: "It was decided in agreement with the technical staff to inform Sunderland the player is sent back to England from this Wednesday, November 9, 2016, his travel document had been amended accordingly."

Gabon drew their first qualifier of the campaign and have never reached a World Cup finals.