SUNDERLAND have been dealt another midfield blow after learning summer recruit Didier Ndong will head for the Africa Cup of Nations next month.

The 22-year-old has been named in the Gabon squad for the tournament in his homeland which starts on January 14.

Sunderland have turned to Ndong in all but one Premier League game so far and he was in action at Manchester United on Boxing Day.

Black Cats boss David Moyes is already without injured midfielders Jan Kirchhoff, Lee Cattermole, Paddy McNair and Lynden Gooch. Jack Rodwell is close to a return.

Ndong looks certain to miss the FA Cup third round tie against Burnley. He will then miss the Premier League matches with Stoke City and West Brom. If Gabon progress beyond the group stage he could miss games with Tottenham and Crystal Palace.

Ndong’s inclusion was uncertain because he had fallen out with coach Jose Antonio Garrido in November for missing training to attend the birth of his new born child.

He had not asked for permission and he later apologised. Sunderland are also waiting to learn whether Ivory Coast defender Lamine Kone and Senegalese Papy Djilobodji will be heading for Gabon too.