MISSING: Have you seen Didier Ndong? Khazri, Djilobodji, Fabio & academy duo continue to impress

Midfielder Didier Ndong was once again absent from Watford’s matchday squad for their 5-0 hammering by Liverpool at Anfield. The 23-year old joined the Hornets on transfer deadline day but has yet to register a single appearance in Javia Gracia’s side.

The Gabon international was on the bench for the games with West Ham United and Stoke City, before missing the last four games with no sign that he’ll ever return.

Speaking to the Hertfordshire Mercury, the Watford manager said:

We choose other options because we have more players available and I choose what I think is best.

The deal that brought Ndong to Vicarage Road from the North East included a clause meaning the move would be made permanent provided the midfielder reached a certain amount of appearances.

Fortunately for Ndong, his lack of recent football hasn’t cost him his place in the Gabon side and he’s been called up to their squad that will take part in the ‘King’s Cup’ this coming weekend in Thailand.

Gabon kick off tomorrow in Bangkok with a game against the host nation, with the victor progressing to play the winner of the Slovakia v United Arab Emirates in the final on Sunday.

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Tunisian international Wahbi Khazri played ninety minutes in the middle of three attacking midfielders as his Rennes side won 2-0 away to his former club Bordeaux, bagging an assist in the process.

Khazri’s new-found ability in a more ‘striking’ role has earned him major praise in France over the course of the current campaign, with French newspaper L’Equipe speculating this week that he’ll be allowed to leave Sunderland on a permanent basis at the end of the season for a cut price fee of £4.5m.

Saturday’s draw leaves Rennes 5th in Ligue 1 with 45 points from 30 matches played, with the 26-year-old goal tally at nine in 17 league appearances for Sabri Lamouchi’s side.

Promising forward Andrew Nelson played 78 minutes before being substituted in Falkirk's goalless draw away to Livingston in the Scottish Championship.

Nelson - from Bishop Auckland - is highly thought of by the Bairns faithful and having been given the opportunity to play regular football, he’s certainly ceasing the opportunity.

The Academy of Light product has impressed in recent weeks - welcome news back on Wearside, particularly as the youngster has another year left to run on his deal after signing an improved contract before he left in the January transfer window.

Fabio Borini played the full game at right back as his AC Milan side out crashed out of the Europa League to Arsenal last Thursday, picking up a yellow card in the process.

Gennaro Gattuso's side conceded 17 shots in the second leg at the Emirates Stadium, and the versatile Italian could do nothing to prevent his side losing 3-1 on the night.

Borini then started at right back again for Milan on Sunday, this time in Serie A action against Emmanuel Giaccherini's Chievo. The former Liverpool man was hooked on 60 minutes for Andre Silva as the Italian giants looked to win the game, and the change paid off with the Portuguese striker netting the winner in a 3-2 victory.

Title challengers Juventus are next up for the Rossoneri, and it will be interesting to see if Borini retains his place in Gattuso's defence.

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Papy Djilobodji played 90 minutes in the middle of three central defenders in a back five as his Dijon side drew 2-2 with Monpellier at the Stade de la Mosson.

The draw result leaves the former Chelsea man’s side - nicknamed The Mustards - sitting 10th in Ligue 1 with 38 points from 30 matches as the French club enjoy a comfortable mid-table season.

Djilobodji now heads off to join up with his national team for the first time in three years, earning himself a recall to Aliou Cisse’s squad after his good form since leaving Wearside made it almost impossible for the Senegal national side to ignore him any longer.

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Sunderland U23 utility man Tom Beadling has impressed so far whilst out on loan at Dunfermline United. The 22-year-old has been used as both an attacking and defensive midfielder by his manager, former Sunderland winger Allan Johnston.

Dunfermline’s game on Saturday at home to Greenock Morton ended in a goalless stalemate. The Barrow-born youngster completed the full 90 minutes in a midfield two alongside James Vincent and came close to breaking the deadlock, his shot hitting the bar in the best chance of the game.

Prior to the match against Greenock Morton, Beadling turned in a solid performance as his side beat Inverness Caledonian Thistle by a goal to nil, marking the experienced professional Gary Harkins out of the game in the process.

The academy graduate has a fourteen-year association with our club but thus far has failed to make a single senior appearance for the Black Cats, with his long-term future as a Sunderland player not quite clear.