Dan Ballard on crutches after ankle surgery, Sunderland hopeful for pre-season | OneFootball

Dan Ballard has undergone ankle surgery, which is why he was on crutches during Sunday’s Stadium of Light celebrations after their seventh-place finish and Europa League qualification. Sunderland are hopeful he will be fit for pre-season.

According to Sunderland Echo, the defender missed the final three Premier League matches of the season through suspension.

He was shown a controversial red card for violent conduct at Wolves after a VAR review, the referee ruling that he had pulled the hair of Tolu Arokodare.

The suspension allowed him to have the operation and begin his recovery before the squad reconvenes for a vital campaign. He will be assessed over the coming weeks, and at this stage the club remain hopeful the issue will not prevent him being ready for the new campaign.

Régis Le Bris's squad have been close to full strength in recent weeks. Romaine Mundle remains the only long-term absentee with a hamstring injury, and the club have taken a cautious approach to have him ready for pre-season. He is currently on track.

Goalkeeper Simon Moore has been sidelined with a broken hand. He will remain at the club next season, with a one-year extension option in his contract understood to have been triggered.

Source: Sunderland Echo