Dan Ballard is set to miss the remainder of the season after aggravating the hamstring injury he suffered during the international break. Centre-back Ballard suffered the injury while away with Northern Ireland almost a fortnight ago but had been pencilled in for a return in Sunderland's Easter Monday game at Cardiff City.
But boss Tony Mowbray revealed tonight that the former Arsenal man had felt the injury again following a recent training session and a scan has shown up a slight tear, meaning he will be sidelined for up to another three weeks which would effectively take him to the end of the season.
"I think Ballard is going to be out for two or three weeks, which takes him just about to the end of the season which is a huge blow to us," said Mowbray, following his side's 4-4 draw against Hull City at the Stadium of Light.
