Stuart Dallas reacts to ‘huge’ Dan Ballard development that’ll actually benefit Sunderland
Dan Ballard was sent off for Northern Ireland on Friday in dramatic late scenes, which prompted ex-Leeds United star Stuart Dallas to comment.
The Sunderland defender was unable to prevent his country from losing 1-0 in a World Cup qualifier against Slovakia.
However, last time out in the Premier League, Ballard played a big role in Sunderland’s 2-2 draw against Arsenal.
Ballard was on the scoresheet for Sunderland and has been immense for the Black Cats all season.
Regis Le Bris will have been anxious to see many of his stars depart for international duty in November, and his worst nightmare may have just come true with Ballard’s poor performance.
Dan Ballard was wrongfully booked vs Slovakia
Trai Hume was criticised for his Northern Ireland performance, with Ballard now coming under fire.
The Sunderland duo will have been hoping to carry their good momentum into the international fixtures, but have failed to impress after the first of two games.
Ballard’s performance against Slovakia:
- Ballard only won 50% of his ground duels
- He made no tackles
- Ballard saw red after receiving two yellow cards in the game
- The first yellow card was for a foul on the Slovakian player Matus Bero
The initial yellow card that Ballard received took him past the limit of warnings from previous bookings in the competition. This meant he would miss his country’s next game.
Former Northern Ireland international Dallas could not believe the “huge” call made on Ballard, as he thought the challenge was “soft”.
Dallas said, as quoted by BBC Sport: “Dan Ballard will be a huge miss on Monday night, and I thought it was a bit of a soft yellow card. He now has to be careful.”
Ballard was, in fact, not “careful”, but the late dismissal didn’t matter in the grand scheme of things.
Ballard should now return to Sunderland injury-free
Ballard is now unable to play against Luxembourg on Monday, and he did not seem to be injured against Slovakia.
There is always dread when players go away for international duties, but Le Bris will see the positives that his star defender should now return to Sunderland fit.
Hume will still be a concern, as Northern Ireland will be fired up to end their group stage with a win.
The country is assured a place in the play-off spots to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
If Sunderland can get both Hume and Ballard back injury-free, then that may be the best news of the international break.
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