Dan Ballard admits he still feels ring-rusty after being thrown in at the deep end in Sunderland's 1-1 draw at Hull City following four months on the sidelines. Defender Ballard was included in the Black Cats' squad for the first time since suffering a broken bone in his foot in mid-August, and was expected to be eased back into action gradually possible with a 15 or 20 minute stint at the MKM Stadium.
But all that went out of the window when Danny Batth picked up a calf problem inside the opening quarter-hour, and the summer siging from Arsenal came on to replace him. "I didn't expect to be thrown back out there that quickly," said Ballard.
"It's unfortunate that Danny picked up an injury but I had to be ready. I was a bit nervous having to get stripped that quickly and having to get back on the pitch but once I was out there I was straight back to it and loved every minute.
READ MORE: Ross Stewart reminds Sunderland what they've missed, as ten men Black Cats earn a point at Hull City
"I'm just delighted to get that first one out of the way because it can always be tough and hopefully I can just keep working hard and get back in the team."
Ballard looked impressive - particularly in the first half - but one tired challenge at the start of the second half saw him concede a penalty, but he received a reprieve when Oscar Estupinan missed the target. He said: "I think the whole performance [overall] wasn't my best performance and maybe if I had a bit of extra time over the next few weeks to ease me back into it, that [the penalty] wouldn't have happened.
"There's no better way to get that rustiness out than just to be thrown in the deep end and I think that will only help me, and I'm almost certain that won't happen again now. It's good that I got away with it and he missed the penalty."
Ballard started the season as a fixture in the side until his injury, but he now finds himself competing against Luke O'Nien, Bailey Wright, Dennis Cirkin, and Aji Alese for a centre-back spot, along with Batth when he returns to fitness. "That's why I'm here," he said.
"I would have had to challenge for my spot anyway. This way means there's a spot opened up and I need to go and grasp it.
"I'm sure Danny and Aji and Dennis will all be fighting for their spot. It's my time now to go and cement that spot again.
"I think the whole squad there is so much talent and every player is dealing with the same challenge.
"It is tough to get minutes in this team because it's such a talented squad, but I think it drives each other and is only going to help us grow as a team."
Ross Stewart also made his comeback at Hull after a lengthy injury lay-off, and he came off the bench to put Sunderland - who had been reduced to ten men on the hour when Elliot Embleton was sent off for a high challenge - in front 15 minutes from time. But Hull sub Ozan Tufan levelled eight minutes from time to salvage a point for his side.
Ballard said: "No game in the Championship is easy and particularly this one going down to ten men it was a real battle. You could see how hard the lads worked and we were unfortunate not to get the win.
"It was a tough game and I'm just glad I could help the team get a point on the road."
Embleton's red card turned out to be the least of his problems, as he suffered a serious leg injury after landing awkwardly following the challenge that led to his dismissal and he was stretchered off and immediately taken to hospital, with an update expected today on the extent of his injury. Ballard said: "It's never nice to see and you could see the pain in his face and disappointment.
"It's never nice to see a team-mate go through that. It's a really good bunch of lads and we're all going to get around him and hopefully build him back stronger and put him in a better shape when he returns."
READ NEXT:
- Liam Rosenior's take on Elliot Embleton's red card, and 'two points dropped' against Sunderland
- Tony Mowbray hints at when Ross Stewart could return to Sunderland's starting XI
- Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray fears Elliot Embleton has suffered a serious injury in draw at Hull
- Hull City 1-1 Sunderland player ratings as Stewart returns with a goal but Embleton sees red
- Sunderland talisman Ross Stewart returns with a goal as ten-man Black Cats earn 1-1 draw at Hull
