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| Sunderland midfielder Jack Rodwell has been told to clean up his cat by Sam Allardyce |
SUNDERLAND midfielder Jack Rodwell has been told to clean up his act by manager Sam Allardyce.
Allardyce was shocked to discover Rodwell is banned for the Boxing Day trip to his former club Manchester City after collecting five yellow cards this season - having started just six games.
"I was surprised to learn that he is suspended because he hasn't played that much," said Allardyce. "He has to control himself more because against Chelsea, he did give away a lot of fouls and deserved his booking.
"He's not tackling for the sake of winning the ball. He keeps missing it and fouling the player."
Rodwell may be in the Sunderland manager's bad books but Allardyce will not give up on him. "At least he is beginning to show a little bit more of what we expect from him," he said.
One player who has fallen foul of the manager is former Dynamo Kiev winger Jeremain Lens, who has started just one game under Allardyce and been relegated to train with the under-21 squad following a breach of club discipline.
Lens revealed he could jump before he is pushed by moving on in the New Year.
"A transfer in the winter? That could happen," he said. "Once the window is open, we will see what will happen.
"It's definitely annoying that I am not playing. I did not come to the Premier League to sit on the bench. Something will have to change."
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