Dan Ballard ruled out of Northern Ireland’s World Cup play-off semi-final against Italy | OneFootball

Sunderland centre-back Dan Ballard will miss Northern Ireland’s World Cup qualifying play-off semi-final against Italy on Thursday after suffering a hamstring injury in the loss to Brighton and Hove Albion.

He was forced off in that match, then missed Sunday’s Tyne-Wear derby win over Newcastle United. According to Sunderland Echo, he had travelled with Michael O’Neill’s squad for Bergamo but will not feature.

The defender has been replaced by 19-year-old Tom Atcheson in O’Neill’s 28-man group. The Blackburn Rovers youngster, whose club are currently being led by O’Neill on an interim basis, is uncapped at senior level but has progressed through the youth ranks.

Northern Ireland are already set to be without Liverpool full-back Conor Bradley and Preston North End defender Jamal Lewis, who has recently had ankle surgery, for the tie with Italy.

O’Neill said there are several injury concerns and that his medical staff are liaising with clubs for clarity. He added the precise extent of Ballard’s issue remains unclear after the centre-back went off in the 64th minute.

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