Régis Le Bris gives Dan Ballard update and Sunderland injuries after York City win | OneFootball

Régis Le Bris says Dan Ballard will feature on Sunderland’s upcoming tour of the United States, after the Black Cats began pre-season with a 5-1 win at York City.

According to Sunderland Echo, Ballard had ankle surgery earlier this year after his 2025/26 campaign ended early following a red card in the 1-1 draw with Wolves. He has trained on Wearside in recent weeks but did not play at the LNER Community Stadium.

Le Bris said Ballard is due to rejoin full training next week and should get his first minutes on the US trip. He added that Romaine Mundle missed the York game only as a precaution.

Mundle endured two significant hamstring injuries last season, so Sunderland are taking a careful approach. He trained last week and was fit, but Le Bris felt it was too soon after his surgery to involve him.

Anthony Patterson was left out while his long-term future is clarified. He has interest from several Championship sides, though none has met Sunderland’s valuation. The goalkeeper has been working at the Academy of Light and appears highly unlikely to travel to the US.

Leo Hjelde will be assessed in the coming days after going off in the second half at York with discomfort in his right knee. Le Bris said the staff did not want to take any risks.

Source: Sunderland Echo