Sunderland’s Dan Ballard out of Northern Ireland play-off against Italy after hamstring injury | OneFootball

Dan Ballard has been ruled out of Northern Ireland’s World Cup qualifying play-off semi-final against Italy on Thursday after suffering a hamstring injury in Sunderland’s defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion.

According to Sunderland Echo, Northern Ireland have confirmed his withdrawal, with 19-year-old Tom Atcheson called into Michael O’Neill’s 28-man squad for the tie in Bergamo.

The centre-back was forced off in the second half against Brighton, then missed Sunday’s Tyne-Wear derby win at Newcastle United. He had initially been named in the travelling group before the decision to stand him down.

Atcheson, who plays for Blackburn Rovers where O’Neill is interim head coach, is uncapped at senior level but has been a regular across youth age groups.

Ballard’s setback adds to absences for Liverpool full-back Conor Bradley and Preston North End defender Jamal Lewis, who recently underwent ankle surgery. The winners on Thursday will face either Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina for a place at this summer’s World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

After naming his squad, O’Neill had said several players carried knocks, that medical staff were seeking clarity from clubs, and that he hoped those who sat out at the weekend could still recover in time.

Source: Sunderland Echo