Dan Ballard on crutches after ankle surgery, Sunderland hopeful for pre-season | OneFootball

According to Sunderland Echo, Dan Ballard has undergone ankle surgery and Sunderland are hopeful he will be fit for pre-season, explaining his appearance on crutches during Sunday’s celebrations.

The centre-back missed the final three Premier League games after a red card for violent conduct at Wolves, issued after a VAR review in which the referee ruled he had pulled the hair of Tolu Arokodare.

That suspension created a window for the procedure and recovery time before the squad reconvenes. On Sunday he joined team-mates on the Stadium of Light pitch as Sunderland marked seventh place and Europa League qualification.

He will be assessed over the coming weeks and, at this stage, the club are hopeful the issue will not stop him being ready for the new campaign.

Despite fitness problems earlier in the season, Régis Le Bris's squad has been close to full strength in recent weeks. Romaine Mundle has been a long-term absentee with a hamstring injury, and Sunderland have taken a cautious approach to have him ready for pre-season. As it stands, he remains on track.

Goalkeeper Simon Moore has also been sidelined with a broken hand. He will remain at the club next season, with the one-year extension in his contract understood to have been triggered.

Source: Sunderland Echo