ROKER ROUNDUP: Didier Ndong breaks silence - wants Sunderland return AND will slash his wages

Change of heart from Ndong

After the story from yesterday which suggested Didier Ndong was too afraid to return to Sunderland due to a fear of being arrested at the airport because of his self-imposed exile, it appears as if the player may have had a change of heart.

Gabonese news outlet iSport claim Didier Ndong left Morocco and is returning to Sunderland imminently.

The report claims Ndong will return with the hope of being reintegrated back into Jack Ross’ squad and will be represented in his meeting with Sunderland’s manager by football agent Seb Ewan and the PFA.

The article quotes Ndong himself saying he is willing to take a paycut and help Sunderland with their aim of promotion:

I’m ready to see my salary reduced, as long as I’m putting my boots on with Sunderland. I’m ready to fight to get the club back into the second division.

Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

Manager discusses Sunderland interest in his player

Sunderland have been linked with a move for non-league prospect Junior Mondal of Whitby Town.

The former Middlesbrough winger has shone recently after being converted into a striker and in his column with the Whitby Gazette, Town’s manager Chris Hardy praised the 21-year-old for his performances despite the added pressure transfer rumours bring:

A lot has been written and spoke about Junior Mondal in recent weeks.

There were links to a potential move to big clubs like Sunderland and Scunthorpe, and rumours like these can affect different players in different ways.

Junior has been superb in recent weeks and he’s handled the extra attention well - but having said that, I believe his form has improved immensely since moving into a more central role at number nine.

He’s really finding form now, he looks so dangerous through the middle and is causing teams real problems in the final third and long may it continue.

Junior was the only difference between ourselves and Pickering Town in our 2-1 win in the Integro League Cup on Tuesday night.

The sides were fairly evenly matched, but having that matchwinner in Junior proved the difference.

Moyes on Naismith

During David Moyes’ spell as Sunderland manager, the Scottish charlatan attempted to sign his fellow Scot Stephen Naismith, with a move to the club being extremely close on the summer deadline day.

So close in fact, that there were reports that the deal had been done.

That move never happened but Moyes is clearly a fan of a player as he couldn’t praise the striker enough in an interview with the Scottish Sun and admitted that he had wanted him at the Stadium of Light:

I’m surprised that people are surprised Steven is still doing the business. Naisy was a brilliant pro.

I might have taken him to Sunderland too. He was wholehearted, he always did things right, and outside of the game I think he’s a terrific ambassador for football given his charity work.

Scotland needs that. You should never neglect some of the older guys, we need them to help the younger ones grow and develop.

He’s scored a lot of important goals. His first year was difficult, but he really kicked on in his second at Everton.

He’s a clever player and a clever lad.

Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images