David Moyes 'issues ban to Lamine Kone amid transfer unrest'

Sunderland manager David Moyes has reportedly told defender Lamine Kone to stay away from the club until the transfer window closes.

The 27-year-old has snubbed the offer of a new contract at the Stadium of Light and instead wants to join Everton in an £18m deal.

Kone pulled out of Sunderland's squad to face Middlesbrough on Sunday afternoon due to a back injury which, according to The Sun, led to Moyes sending the 27-year-old into temporary exile.

Sunderland could turn to Barnsley's Alfie Mawson to replace Kone should the centre-back indeed succeed in pushing through a move.