Ballard Set To Miss Northern Ireland's Italy Play-off

Dan Ballard is group to miss Northern Ireland's important World Cup play-off semi-final against Italy connected Thursday because of a hamstring injury.

The Sunderland defender was forced disconnected during his side's Premier League conclusion by Brighton connected 14 March and missed Sunday's 2-1 triumph complete Newcastle.

Neither Sunderland nor nan Irish FA person formally announced he will beryllium unavailable, but an update connected Ballard's information is expected later connected Monday.

It is unclear astatine this shape whether Ballard could beryllium fresh for a imaginable play-off last against Wales aliases Bosnia-Herzegovina should Michael O'Neill's broadside triumph successful Bergamo.

Northern Ireland are already without Liverpool defender Conor Bradley, though Ali McCann did nexus up pinch his world team-mates erstwhile nan squad met connected Sunday evening.

Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali besides missed nan Tyne-Wear derby done injury, pinch nan four-time World Cup winners continuing to show his fittingness earlier nan play-off.