Former Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio reportedly left summer signing El-Hadji Ba behind when the team bus departed for their clash against Crystal Palace during his time in charge.

The Italian coach, who was sacked by the North-East outfit five games into the new Premier League season, is said to have lost members of the dressing room due to his strict ruling.

It has now emerged that Di Canio ordered the team bus to leave for Selhurst Park before their 3-1 defeat to Palace without Ba after he went to pick up a bag that he had left in his hotel room, according to the Daily Mail.

Reports have claimed that Ba received a lift to the ground after missing the designated leaving time.