Sunderland could be without new signing Daniel Ballard for an extended period with Alex Neil admitting the defender's injury 'doesn't look good'. Ballard had to be helped from the pitch after he was clattered late by QPR's former Middlesbrough striker Albert Adomah inside the first ten minutes of the match at the Stadium of Light, although referee Jeremy Simpson decided the incident was not even worthy of a free-kick.
Neil confirmed afterwards that the ex-Arsenal man had been taken to hospital for the injury to be properly assessed. "It doesn't look good," said Neil.
"He's away to hospital now so we'll see how he is. It's a massive blow, because Dan Ballard is a key player who we have spent money on to improve the squad.
