£15k-a-week Prior to his final international match this break, a Sunderland player confronts a fitness race.
Dan Ballard had yet another injury while serving abroad.
Following their 3-0 victory over San Marino at the weekend, Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill stated that the defender had developed a thigh niggle.
Ballard took the captaincy in Belfast and played the full 90 minutes, but he didn’t realize there was an issue until the next day.
Ballard woke up with tightness in his leg, which we have just had to manage over the past 48 hours, according to O’Neill.
“It’s not like he was playing through anything; we could have removed him, but he made no indication that there was anything wrong. It’s just something that started happening after the game.
“I believe our group has ample protection. In addition to Trai Hume, who has played center-half for his club, we also have Eoin Toal and Shea Charles.
“I believe we don’t need to bring anyone up because the squad is large enough. If Daniel doesn’t make it, I believe that we might try to add someone from the Under-21 team.
Ballard will be in a race against time to be ready for his third consecutive start for the national team when Northern Ireland hosts Slovenia tonight.
worry about Stoke City?
In order to feel confident heading to Stoke City this weekend, Sunderland supporters will be hoping he makes the team.
In the event that the 24-year-old is unable to take on the Potters, the Black Cats will be forced to rely on the untested Jenson Seelt.
The international break has already cost Sunderland this season; in March, Ballard tore his hamstring while competing for his country. The remainder of the campaign was cut short for the defender. When Jewison Bennette dislocated his shoulder while serving with Costa Rica, he was sidelined for a comparable period of time.
Given the club’s bad luck with injuries over the past few years, supporters would wish that the players weren’t permitted to leave Wearside at this rate.
Leave a Reply