Sunderland sweating on injury verdict ahead of Middlesbrough showdown
Cente-back Dan Ballard could miss Sunderland’s North East clash at home to Middlesbrough on Saturday. The 24-year-old, who scored an own goal and gave away a penalty at Plymouth last weekend, was pictured leaving Home Park on crutches with his foot in a brace.
Ballard was thrown up-front for the final seconds after Joe Edwards scored what proved to be the winner for Plymouth. He appeared to land awkwardly after leaping to win a header and had to be helped off the pitch by physios. Now head coach Regis Le Bris faces an anxious wait to see whether he can take part against Boro, which seems unlikely.
Losing Ballard for a second time this season would be a major blow, with the centre-half having just returned to injury following summer surgery. The Black Cats are already without one key defender after Aji Alese was ruled out for 10-12 weeks before the international break. Dutchman Jenson Seelt is out until the new year.
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Sunderland secured Ballard to a new contract this summer after interest from Premier League clubs. Le Bris said it was too early to determine the extent of the injury following the 3-2 defeat to Argyle. The 24-year-old had only recently returned to action after missing pre-season to undergo surgery.
Sunderland will also be without deadline-day striker addition Ahmed Abdullahi after he was forced to have surgery on a groin issue the club were aware of when completing the seven-figure signing. Ian Poveda and Salis Abdul Samed are being monitored through the week in the hope they will be available for Boro’s visit.
Meanwhile, Everton have taken an interest in Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson. This is according to HITC, who have also reported that Liverpool remain interested in the shot-stopper, who is currently flying high at the top end of the Championship table.
Patterson has been crucial for the Black Cats in recent years, with his contributions during the latter stages of the 2021/22 campaign helping them to secure a return to the second tier of English football.
His performances have also allowed the club to establish themselves as a solid side in their current division and it’s no shock that he has been the subject of interest from various teams since he managed to nail down his place as the Wearside outfit’s first-choice keeper.