The absences seemed to have no effect on today's scoreline however as Sunderland waltzed to a comfortable 2-0 win.
"Three players were late for the bus so we left them behind. I was disappointed with them, you've got to respect your team-mates and be on time.
"We brought in Trevor Carson last night and Kenny Cunningham and Stephen Wright came to the hotel this morning. They were all on the bench. If you can't be on time, you are not going to play.
"You have to be on time, if it was in any other line of work you have to turn up on time. If it was in a factory you would be docked some pay or even fired. We are not going down that road, the players have received their punishment and they will be back involved on Tuesday. It's history now."