Ballard Set To Miss Ni's World Cup Qualifiers

Defender Daniel Ballard is group to miss Northern Ireland’s World Cup qualifiers against Luxembourg and Germany adjacent period done injury.

The 25-year-old was forced disconnected during nan first half of Sunderland’s 2-0 defeat against Burnley astatine Turf Moor connected Saturday.

Speaking aft nan Black Cats’ Carabao Cup nonaccomplishment against Huddersfield connected Tuesday, their leader Regis Le Bris said while nan interest was not "long-term", Ballard does look a spell connected nan sidelines.

"It's not excessively superior truthful we expect him to beryllium retired for 2 to 3 weeks," he told nan club’s website.

Northern Ireland are distant to Luxembourg connected 4 September and look Germany successful Cologne 3 days later.

Michael O’Neill is already without first-choice goalkeeper Pierce Charles, who pulled retired of nan squad aft injuring his enarthrosis erstwhile successful action for Sheffield Wednesday.