Sunderland boss Chris Coleman has slammed midfielder Jack Rodwell after their relegation to League One was confirmed.

The former Everton and Manchester City midfielder is training with the U23s and Coleman says he chose not to be in the firing line of their relegation campaign.

Coleman claimed he didn't know where Rodwell was, sparking a backlash against the star.

Then he clarified: "He trains with the U23's every morning, in that nice, safe umbrella, he's not in the spotlight or the firing line with the rest of us, which he chose.

"When I say don't know where he is I mean physically and mentally, and there's no interest [from me] because he's not the answer for us.

"I'm sure we've gone down the legal route of that situation and we are stuck with a player that doesn't want to play for Sunderland football club and wants to leave.

"He's got one more year on his contract and he doesn't want to play for us, so fine, go and play for somebody else, but the stumbling block is the contract.

"So we'll see at the end of the season. I know Jack did that article saying he wanted to play for England again so to do that, he's going to have to go and play football somewhere.

"The proof is always in the pudding."