Sunderland will not face punishment from the Premier League after they opted to pull Patrick van Aanholt out at the last minute on Sunday.

The Dutch defender was told he would not take part in the clash with Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane just 15 minutes prior to kick-off.

Teammate Jason Denayer relayed the news to van Aanholt, who kicked a ball away in frustration before leaving the pitch, as the Black Cats went on to lose 1-0 to Spurs.

Manager David Moyes told the press after the match that van Aanholt was withdrawn for medical reasons and it understood that a medical note handed to referee Mike Dean prior to the contest has bene passed by the league.

Sunderland will face no action despite making changes to their original line-up after team sheets had been submitted.