Sunderland boss David Moyes has revealed that an injury ruled full-back Patrick van Aanholt out of the Tottenham Hotspur game just minutes before kick-off on Sunday.

Van Aanholt's replacement, Jason Denayer, had a difficult time defending against Spurs winger Son Heung-min in the 1-0 defeat at White Hart Lane but Moyes insisted the call had to be made in the pre-game warm-up.

"For medical reasons we chose to withdraw him, I won't follow up if you don't mind," Moyes said after the game.

"I'd like to be straight. We advised the referee very late on. I got word of something very late. People can get injured in the warm-up."

Denayer reportedly yelled out to van Aanholt, saying: "You're out injured", to which the Dutchman replied: "Who me? You're joking!"