Dan Ballard will make his first start for Sunderland since August 13th as he features for Graeme Murty's U21s side in their Premier League Cup clash with Reading. The centre-half started all three of the Black Cats Championship fixtures at the beginning of the campaign, but fractured his foot after just nine minutes in the 2-2 draw with QPR.
The Northern Ireland international has missed 19 games in the Championship this season and has been given the opportunity to get some vital minutes as he continues his comeback trail. Ballard joined the Black Cats on a permanent deal from Arsenal in the summer and is highly rated having impressed with Millwall and Blackpool on recent loan moves.
Tony Mowbray's side are in action at the Stadium of Light this evening, with Ballard not involved after almost four months out injured. The Black Cats head coach has hinted fellow absentee Ross Stewart could feature in the squad to face West Brom tonight.
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