Ballard might just be 24, but he has established himself as one of the best defenders in the Championship since joining Sunderland from Arsenal ahead of the start of last season.
The centre-half has also assumed a leadership role within the Black Cats’ dressing room, playing an important role in gelling together an extremely young squad for the second campaign in a row.
He is currently on international duty with Northern Ireland, and is set to start both games in the home qualifying double-header that will see Michael O’Neill’s side host San Marino on Saturday before taking on Slovenia three days later.
With stalwart defender Craig Cathcart having recently announced his international retirement, there is a lack of senior expertise within the Northern Ireland squad, and Ballard is keen to step into the breach.
“Craig has been brilliant for many years,” said Ballard, who has scored two goals in Sunderland’s last six games. “He has helped me a lot, and I enjoyed playing next to him.
“He has now made the decision, so there is the space for other players to step up and carry on where he left off really. It’s a shame he has retired, but someone has to step up now – and I want to be that person.”
It has been a big week for Northern Irish football, with UEFA’s award of Euro 2028 to the UK and Ireland meaning Belfast will be staging matches in a major tournament for the first time in just under five years’ time.
Although qualification is not guaranteed, with all five host nations expected to go through a qualifying campaign, UEFA is understood to be reserving two host nation places for any of the teams which do not make it on merit, significantly boosting Northern Ireland’s chances of featuring.
“I think that makes these games coming up now even more important,” said Stevenage-born Ballard, who qualifies to play for Northern Ireland because his mother was born in the country. “We have that goal and incentive to look forward to – I’m hoping we’ll have a strong team and a winning team by then.”
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