Sunderland may encounter a setback as they prepare to face Plymouth Argyle in the Championship tomorrow afternoon. The upcoming match at the Stadium of Light presents an opportunity for Sunderland to extend their unbeaten streak to three games, following a recent victory over Stoke City and a draw away at Middlesbrough.
As the Black Cats aim to maintain their positive momentum, the pressure on manager Michael Beale seems to be gradually easing, with Sunderland currently positioned in 8th place on the Championship table.
In contrast, Plymouth resides in 15th place, setting the stage for what promises to be a challenging encounter.
However, Beale may find solace in the potential inclusion of Dan Ballard in the defensive lineup, providing a boost to Sunderland’s backline for the forthcoming fixture.
Dan Ballard in clear after Middlesbrough injury scare
Ballard sustained a potential injury concern during the closing minutes of Sunderland’s previous match against Middlesbrough, following an awkward fall on his shoulder.
Despite initial apprehensions regarding his fitness, manager Beale downplayed the severity of the situation earlier in the week. Now, according to Sunderland Echo journalist Phil Smith’s report, Beale has affirmed Ballard’s availability for tomorrow’s game, contingent upon him passing today’s assessment without any signs of injury.
Smith posted on X:
Ballard, aged 24, has been an instrumental figure in Sunderland’s defensive setup throughout the season. With 29 appearances in the Championship and three goals to his credit, Ballard’s impact has been profound compared to his previous season’s performance, during which he featured in the league on 19 occasions. Notably, Ballard’s defensive prowess is evident from his contribution to seven clean sheets in the Championship this season.
According to statistics from Sofascore, he averages 0.8 clearances per game, 1.2 tackles, 4.2 clearances, and 5.8 balls recovered, underscoring his significance to Sunderland’s defensive stability and overall performance.