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

Sunderland’s Dan Ballard has been ruled out of Northern Ireland’s World Cup qualifying play-off semi-final against Italy in Bergamo on Thursday due to a hamstring injury.

It has been confirmed he will not be available, and he has been replaced by 19-year-old Tom Atcheson in Michael O’Neill’s 28-man squad. Sunderland Echo reports that the Blackburn Rovers defender is uncapped at senior level, has featured regularly for youth sides, and is currently working under O’Neill in his interim role at the club.

Ballard sustained the problem during the recent defeat by Brighton and Hove Albion, coming off in the second half. He then missed Sunday’s Tyne-Wear Derby win over Newcastle United, and uncertainty had lingered over his international involvement despite initial inclusion in the travelling group.

Northern Ireland are already without Liverpool full-back Conor Bradley and Preston North End defender Jamal Lewis, who has undergone ankle surgery.

O’Neill said there were several injury concerns and that medical staff are liaising with clubs to establish the picture. He added the precise extent of Ballard’s issue remained unclear and called such setbacks part of international football, while insisting the squad is as strong as possible given the circumstances.

The winner on Thursday will face Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina for a place at this summer’s World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Source: Sunderland Echo