Dan Ballard ruled out as Northern Ireland suffer World Cup play-off setback | OneFootball

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

He sustained the problem in the defeat by Brighton and Hove Albion, came off in the second half, then missed Sunday’s Tyne-Wear Derby win at Newcastle United. According to Sunderland Echo, he had initially been included in Michael O’Neill’s travelling squad for Bergamo.

It has now been confirmed he is unavailable, with 19-year-old Tom Atcheson drafted into O’Neill’s 28-man group. The teenager plays for Blackburn Rovers, where O’Neill is currently interim head coach, and is uncapped but experienced at youth level.

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

O’Neill said there were several injury concerns, with some players not featuring for their clubs at the weekend, and the medical team would liaise with clubs for clarity. He added the extent of Ballard’s issue remained unknown after he went off in the 64th minute, but such situations are part of international football. He stressed the squad was as strong as possible despite the absentees.

O’Neill said every player would do everything possible to be fit and he was keeping his fingers crossed for those who did not play at the weekend. He noted that, at that point, there were 10 days until the game and hoped that would be enough. The winner will face either Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina for a place at this summer’s World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Source: Sunderland Echo