Regis Le Bris provides Dan Ballard update ahead of Sunderland v Blackburn

Regis Le Bris has confirmed that Dan Ballard will not be available for Sunderland on Boxing Day as they prepare to take on Blackburn Rovers.

The defender has been on fire for the Black Cats of late, having scored two goals in as many games to help his side get back to winning ways in the Championship.

However, Ballard was forced off in the 88th minute against Norwich after a collision with Borja Sainz.

Unfortunately for Sunderland, the 25-year-old is set for a short period out as Le Bris confirmed a new update: “Dan will be unavailable. It’s difficult to say how long he will be out exactly, probably two weeks at least. Maybe a little bit more.”

Dan Ballard missing a blow for Sunderland

Ballard is no stranger to injury issues and both he and his manager will be disappointed that he is set for a short period on the sidelines.

This will be especially true after his recent form which has seen him contributing plenty at the top end of the pitch, despite his duties at Sunderland being defensive.

His two goals show the quality that the 25-year-old possesses and he surely would have been keen to build on the confidence and momentum he has been building.

As the Black Cats prepare for a trip to Ewood Park, this will be a blow as Le Bris will be hoping his side can get all three points to extend the gap between themselves and their opponents who they sit six points and one place above in the table.

The main hope is that this period out of the squad doesn’t prove to be any longer than a couple of weeks predicted by the manager at this stage.

In other Sunderland news, one player looks set to be returning from injury after he was pictured in training.

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