JACK ROSS has confirmed that Didier Ndong’s representatives have been in touch with the Sunderland hierarchy, but insists he still has “zero interest” in offering the Gabon international a return to the first-team fold.

Ndong conducted an interview in Africa in the last couple of days in which he suggested he would be willing to take a pay cut if it meant he was able to return to Wearside and be part of the Sunderland squad.

The Black Cats’ record signing has been AWOL since the end of last season, and unlike Papy Djilobodji, who was dismissed earlier this month, it is not understood he was given permission to miss any part of pre-season training.

There would appear to be little chance of Ndong returning to the fold, with Sunderland owner Stewart Donald having publicly railed against his conduct, but Ross admits there has been some new discussions this week.

Ross said: “There has been no dialogue with me. I did read a report yesterday that one of his representatives had been in contact with me - that is not the case.

“I know there has been communication with the club, some of his representatives or people who portray themselves as his representatives, but I don't know any more than that.

“It has been a long complicated matter, we thought we were getting close to a solution, we will see how that pans out.

“Certainly today, it is of zero interest to me. We will see how it plays out over the coming days as well.”

Ross was much keener to discuss his side’s performance as they returned to winning ways after a run of three games without a victory, and the Sunderland boss heaped particular praise on Josh Maja, whose two goals played a major role in his side’s success.

Maja was crowned EFL Young Player of the Month for August last week, and his explosive start to the season shows no sign of stopping.

His latest double made it seven goals in nine League One matches, and he showed two different sides to his game as he followed a clinical close-range header with a fierce low shot.

Sunderland are desperate to tie him down to a new deal with his current contract due to expire at the end of the season, and given that he does not turn 20 until late December, Ross is hugely excited about his potential.

“There were bits of his early performance that highlighted some things he can still get better at, but I have spoken about his willingness to learn and I sat with him Friday and we looked at bits of his game that he can add to,” said the Black Cats boss.

“There are parts I can't help get any better because they are so very good - his ability to finish, for example. His first, the header, was different to any goal he has scored this season. His second, he shifted the ball in a tight area.

“He has a lot of shots low and hard, gives keepers no time to react. To return the number of goals for a young man this early is terrific. If he can keep it going he will end with a really good total.

“People will look at the response to us losing last week, and if you take that in isolation, to win the game 4-1 is very good.

"Again, there are always bits we can do better, but in the main, there were bits we did well. We were a lot more physically resilient than last week in particular, and that was pleasing.”