According to the Sunderland Echo, Daniel Ballard is anticipated to be ready this weekend, giving Sunderland a boost in fitness ahead of their game against QPR.
Following the September international break, Tony Mowbray’s team will resume league play on Saturday.
Ballard’s physical condition has come under scrutiny ahead of the match with the Hoops while the defender was in the Northern Ireland training camp.
On Thursday night during the national team’s 4-2 loss to Slovenia in Euro 2024 qualification, the 23-year-old was not present.
He overcome his fitness concerns, though, to play on Sunday night in Michael O’Neill’s team’s 1-0 loss to Kazakhstan.
As the duo played the entire 90 minutes in the Astana Arena, Trai Hume also made an appearance.
Is Daniel Ballard a crucial member of Sunderland’s team?
Since transferring from Arsenal to Sunderland in the summer of 2022, Ballard has established himself as a key member of the team.
The defender had significant fitness problems in his first season at the Stadium of Light, and he ultimately played in just 19 league games as the Black Cats finished sixth in the Championship.
But he has been prepared and accessible thus far this season, appearing in each of Sunderland’s opening five league games.
The Northern Irishman is probably going to be an important member of the team moving ahead if Mowbray’s team is going to contend for promotion to the Premier League once more this season.
Ballard’s ability to play for 90 minutes will please Mowbray, who will also be hopeful he didn’t sustain any further injuries in Kazakhstan.
Northern Ireland’s chances of making it to Euro 2024 in Germany the following year have been eliminated by the loss.
The team is currently ranked fifth in a group of six countries with just three points from six games.
How has Sunderland’s season so far been going?
After five games, Sunderland is presently tenth in the Championship standings.
After a couple of successful outcomes before the break, notably a 5-0 demolition of Southampton, a slow start has picked up.
With a convincing win over one of the favorites for promotion, Mowbray’s team moved up the standings.
This season, the Black Cats have recorded two victories, one tie, and two losses. However, they will be aiming to continue their unblemished streak when they take on QPR this weekend.
At the time of their matchup at Loftus Road on September 16, Gareth Ainsworth’s team is ranked 17th, but they are only one point below Sunderland in the standings.
Will Daniel Ballard play for Sunderland when they take on QPR?
Ballard may be available for Mowbray’s team this weekend, according to the data from Sunday night.
Ballard will probably be one of the first names on the roster at the Stadium of Light this season if he remains healthy.
The defender was let down over the weekend when Northern Ireland’s chances of traveling to Euro 2024 were dashed by back-to-back losses.
But for Mowbray, it won’t matter because he showed his stamina by playing the full 90 minutes against Kazakhstan, and the Sunday game should allow him plenty of time to relax and get ready for QPR on Saturday.