Confirmed: Sunderland AFC set for big boost ahead of play-offs | OneFootball

Regis Le Bris expects that Dan Ballard and Dennis Cirkin will be available before the end of the league season.

Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris has revealed that he expects to have both Dan Ballard and Dennis Cirkin back in time for their imminent play-off campaign.

Sunderland have just two games left of their league season, before they enter the play-offs in search of a return to the Premier League for the first time since 2017.

Le Bris has now suggested that both Ballard and Cirkin should be fit before the close of the league season, while Romain Mundle could also return in time to play some part in the semi-final.

News of the defensive duo’s return comes at a timely moment, with the Black Cats having recently lost three consecutive league games for the first time all season.

Ballard and Cirkin are both close to a return for Sunderland

While Sunderland’s recent run of form will no doubt be a concern if it continues right up until their play-off berth, it can likely be attributed, in part at least, to the recent absence of two of their key performers in Ballard and Cirkin.

Cirkin has been sidelined since 15th March with a hamstring injury, and although Le Bris had hinted that he could make the bench for Easter Monday’s game, he ultimately missed the home defeat to Blackburn.

The full-back will re-join full training over the course of this week, and is expected to be part of the matchday squad for next weekend’s trip to Oxford.

Meanwhile, Ballard, who has been out since the middle of February with his own hamstring issue, is now expected to return for the final game of the season at home to QPR.

Le Bris also had positive news on Romain Mundle, suggesting that the winger could yet feature in the semi-final of the play-offs.

The Frenchman said: “For Romaine, I think the time will be too short for these next two games. We don’t think he will be ready for those games, but when it comes to the play-offs, we don’t think he will be too far from the team.

“We will probably have Dennis (Cirkin) next week, and then we should have Ballard after the Oxford game. Hopefully, he will be available for the last game.”

Sunderland will need to shake off their poor form ahead of the play-offs

Although the Black Cats’ spot in the post-season has already been confirmed for some time now, the final two games of the league season could prove to be two of the most important of their entire campaign.

Over the years in the EFL, we have seen several teams string a good run together to get into the lower reaches of the play-off spots in the final few weeks of the season, and that momentum can sometimes carry them all the way to glory.

For Sunderland, they will be desperate to put a stop to their winless run and ensure they head into the semi-final on a high.

Le Bris’ side are now guaranteed fifth spot, meaning they will play the home leg second, but their opponent is still far from decided.

At present, they would face Bristol City, but with Frank Lampard’s Coventry just one point behind them, and the likes of Middlesbrough and Millwall trying to force their way into the equation, Sunderland could still end up facing several different sides.