Adam Johnson has not been included in Sunderland’s squad for Saturday’s Premier League match against Manchester United at the Stadium of Light.
The 28-year-old pleaded guilty to one count of sexual activity with a child and a charge of grooming on Wednesday.
He is due to stand trial at Bradford Crown Court on Friday on two counts of sexual activity with a child, which he denies.
The midfielder had been playing while on bail.
Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce confirmed Johnson’s omission from the squad at his pre-match news conference on Thursday afternoon.
After Johnson’s arrest in March 2015, the club suspended him but then lifted the ban shortly after following talks with the player’s representatives and the Professional Footballers’ Association.
In his last appearance for the Black Cats, Johnson scored against Liverpool as his side drew 2-2 at Anfield last weekend.
Johnson, who was born in Sunderland, began his career at Middlesbrough before moving to Manchester City and then to Sunderland for £10m in 2012.
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