Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce says his players will try not to be distracted by the Adam Johnson situation.

The club sacked the former England winger after he admitted charges relating to a teenage girl.

He was found guilty yesterday of sexual activity with a child.

Sunderland are currently involved in a Premier League relegation battle, and that's what Allardyce wants his players to focus on.

"The lads have obviously had their conversations about it. I haven't been in those conversations but obviously our focus has to be just trying to win football matches," he said, although he admitted that the news of Johnson's guilty plea had come as a shock.

"It was a massive shock. Justice has been done, he's let everybody down."

Allardyce also revealed that a deal to bring former Arsenal full-back Emmanuel Eboue to the club is close to completion.

The Ivorian is a free agent after leaving Galatasaray at the end of last season.

"Possibly by the end of the week, hopefully it'll be clinched until the end of the season. He's an experienced professional in all aspects of the game at the top level."