While on international duty, the Sunderland defender appeared to have suffered a small injury setback.
Sunderland defender Dan Ballard has been diagnosed with a thigh strain while on international duty with Northern Ireland, according to boss Michael O’Neill.
Jonny Evans, a former Black Cats loanee, handed Ballard the captain’s armband for Northern Ireland during their 3-0 win over San Marino on Saturday evening.
Evans, 35, and Ballard, 24, began together in center defense during Northern Ireland’s match against San Marino, with Evans earning his 104th cap and Ballard earning his 15th.
Sunderland’s Ballard played the full 90-minute match, alongside Trai Hume and former Wearsider Paddy McNair, who now plays for Middlesbrough.
Northern Ireland coach O’Neill, on the other hand, has now claimed that Ballard awakened with a tightness in his leg, which is being monitored by their medical personnel.
“He [Ballard] woke up with a tightness in his thigh which we have just had to manage over the last 48 hours,” O’Neill said.
“It’s not like he was playing through something because we could have taken him off at any time, but he didn’t alert us to anything.” It’s just something that happened after the game.”
“I think we have enough cover in our group,” he continued. We have Eoin Toal, Trai Hume has played center-half for his club, and Shea Charles has also played center-back.
“I think we have enough in the squad without calling anyone up. I think what we might look to do is add someone from the Under-21 squad if Daniel doesn’t make it.”
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