Exclusive: Don Goodman issues major Sunderland AFC play-offs concern despite double boost | OneFootball

Former Sunderland striker Don Goodman reacts to Dennis Cirkin and Dan Ballard's imminent return to action.

Former Sunderland striker Don Goodman is pleased to see Dan Ballard and Dennis Cirkin back in contention for the Black Cats, but believes the Black Cats have issues elsewhere on the pitch ahead of the play-offs.

Manager Regis Le Bris revealed after Easter Monday's defeat at the hands of Blackburn Rovers that he expected injured defensive duo Ballard and Cirkin to return before the end of the regular Championship season.

The Wearside outfit have already booked their place in the Championship play-offs this season, despite a string of inconsistent results over the last month.

Northern Irish defender Ballard has missed a good chunk of the season due to injuries, with Cirkin playing more than his defensive colleague despite also having an injury-hit campaign.

However, it seems that Sunderland will be dealt a huge boost ahead of their play-off campaign, as Le Bris confirmed that he expects both to be back for the end of the regular league season.

Don Goodman reacts to double Sunderland injury boost

In the wake of this revelation, Football League World spoke to ex-Sunderland striker and Sky Sports pundit Goodman, and quizzed him on the impact that the return of Ballard and Cirkin could have.

“I think news of any players regaining fitness is always good for a team, a club, and a head coach, to boost the depth of a squad," Goodman exclusively told Football League World.

“Dan Ballard had been a little bit in and out, sharing duties with Chris Mepham - Luke O’Nien seemed to have been the mainstay. But it’s good to have him back.

“Cirkin is a fine left-back, but the worry for me is, are those two players that are going to dramatically influence a Sunderland resurgence in the play-off campaign?

Don Goodman believes Sunderland and Regis Le Bris' issues lay elsewhere

After a string of inconsistent results where the Mackems have struggled to score goals, Goodman believes that Sunderland's issues are elsewhere on the pitch.

Despite the double boost, the ex-Black Cats forward remains cautious about his former side's hopes heading into the play-offs.

“It seems to me that over this sticky spell of seven games, when you look at Sunderland’s results, they haven’t scored more than one goal in any of their last seven games," the 58-year-old added.

“The defensive scenario isn’t the area where there seems to be a bit of a problem - it’s more the attacking balance of the team.

“I know they’re on this run, I know they’ve been in the play-offs for a long time and Regis Le Bris has been rotating, resting, and introducing new players.

“The last two games are really important for Sunderland, they need to find some momentum otherwise to go into a play-off campaign in such poor form - I can’t remember any other team really succeeding off the back of that.”

Make no mistake, having the defensive duo back certainly offers Sunderland's promotion hopes a huge boost. But, as Goodman alludes to, there must be more focus on improving their attacking play into the play-offs if they wish to secure a return to the Premier League.