Sunderland’s Dan Ballard has attracted the attention of David Moyes and West Ham United according to reports. The Northern Ireland defender signed for Sunderland last summer from Arsenal but could be on his way back to London after just one season away.
Ballard has been a force in the backline for Tony Mowbray’s side, helping guide them into play-off contention midway through the season. But injuries curtailed his end to the campaign, with a hamstring injury – sustained in late-March on international duty - keeping him out for the rest of the season.
Ballard featured just 19 times in the Championship, in an injury hit first season on Wearside. Sunderland missed his presence in their play-off semi-final defeat to Luton, as they had no available central defenders, leaving them exposed to Luton’s direct playing style.
