Dan Ballard has not played since sustaining a hamstring injury while representing Northern Ireland in March, but there had been some hope that he might be available if Sunderland were able to extend their season. However, Tony Mowbray has ruled out the possibility of Ballard playing in the first leg of Sunderland’s play-off semi-final against Luton Town.
With Mowbray suggesting that Dennis Cirkin and Lynden Gooch would be available, there might be better news
elsewhere. Both players underwent scans this week after being forced off with injuries during the 3-0 victory over Preston North End at Deepdale.
Mowbray remarked about Gooch and Cirkin, “Neither of them trained today [Thursday].””In all honesty I don’t know if they are going to be available or not at this stage,” said the coach. “They might train tomorrow and if they get through the session there’s a chance they’ll play.”
Ross Stewart, a striker for Sunderland, will require surgery on his injured Achilles next week and will be out for the remainder of the Championship season.
At Craven Cottage on Saturday, the 26-year-old Scotland international was taken off the pitch on a stretcher after a 1-1 FA Cup match with Fulham.
Tony Mowbray, the manager, predicted a protracted layoff in his post-match interview.
Since recovering from a thigh injury, Stewart had been a vital member of the Wearsiders, scoring 11 goals in 15 games.
Since joining Sunderland from Ross County in January 2021, the former Albion Rovers, St Mirren, and Alloa attacker has scored 40 goals in 80 games and 85 goals in 222 games overall.
Sunderland borrowed a saw Ellis Simms, an Everton striker, was recalled last month, but Leeds signed Joe Gelhardt on a loan instead.
