Mixed Sunderland injury news for Middlesbrough with 'unbelievable engine' confirmed out

Dan Ballard of Sunderland is carried off the pitch after the final whistle
-Credit: (Image: Sunderland AFC via Getty Images)


Head coach Regis Le Bris delivered mixed injury news for Sunderland ahead of Saturday's clash with Middlesbrough - with the hosts set to play the game without one of their most experienced players, described by his team-mate as having an 'unbelievable engine'.

Midfielder Alan Browne, who joined Sunderland from Preston North End on a free this summer, was wearing a knee brace during the week as the club hosted an event where their summer signings answered the questions of supporters. The sight of the former Preston captain sporting the protector immediately cast doubts to his availability for Saturday's Wear-Tees derby.

There were also doubts over key defender Dan Ballard after he was spotted leaving Plymouth Argyle last weekend in an ankle brace while using crutches. Despite needing to be helped off the pitch after the defeat at Home Park, Le Bris expects Ballard to play.

READ MORE: Van den Berg, Howson, Engel and more - Middlesbrough injury round-up for Sunderland trip

SIGN UP: Middlesbrough FC news straight to your phone on WhatsApp

The Sunderland head coach said: "Ballard should be okay for this weekend. For Browney we need at least one week more to be available."

That could be a blow for the Black Cats ahead of Saturday's huge clash at the Stadium of Light. Many Sunderland observers felt that they missed Browne's experience in the Plymouth defeat, with the Frenchman instead playing an inexperienced midfield consisting of Dan Neil (22), Chris Rigg (17) and Jobe Bellingham (18).

Indeed Neil, whose inexperience showed in this fixture last term when he was sent off for over-stepping the mark in his protests to the referee, previously told of Browne's importance to Sunderland after his arrival in the summer.

Neil said: "Alan’s got an unbelievable engine, unbelievable legs. We knew that from when we played Preston previously. Every time we’ve come up against him, we’ve talked about the unbelievable engine he has. He’s a bit more of an experienced head in there as well, which helps us because me and Jobe are still young.

"We’ve got experience for our age, but Browney has been around for a long time. He’s a good leader on the pitch, and he’s got quality in possession as well."