Le Bris updates on injury to key Sunderland defender | OneFootball

Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris has issued an update on the injury of Daniel Ballard, after the defender missed their 1-1 draw with Leeds United.

“We will see the diagnosis on Monday,” Le Bris revealed. “He got a kick against Brighton and was not available today.”

Before today, the Northern Ireland international has played every Premier League minute for Sunderland since early October. However, the important defender was missing from the squad against Leeds. The French coach continued: “Yeah it is more or less this, he had a first scan. But because he still feels pain, we have to explore it a bit more.

“It is a normal journey for a Premier League team. In the Championship last season we had many situations like that, we still need players coming off the bench.”

In Ballard’s absence, Dennis Cirkin came into the lineup. It was the 23-year-old’s first first-team appearance since the playoff final.

His manager insisted: “I think Dennis did well for his debut in the Premier League.

“It is important. He works hard behind the scenes as well.

“It was a long process to get better, to get connected once again with the squad.”

The Black Cats already have a depleted squad with a number of players participating in the Africa Cup of Nations. “It would have done,” answered Le Bris when asked if their presence would have made a difference against Leeds.

“Because we cannot rewrite the story, the expectations during this period of AFCON are a bit balanced. I think the players are showing good character. I repeat it was not an easy game.

“You need to learn from different experiences and I think this one will help us for the future.”

The draw with Leeds will not go down as Sunderland’s best result of the season. Nevertheless, they will remain undefeated at home going into the new year.

Le Bris admitted: “The dressing room was a bit disappointed, which is a good sign.

“Today we faced a good Leeds – strong and in good form.

“They are a good team and it was still a good point for us. Still unbeaten at home.”