Régis Le Bris confirms Dan Ballard ban as Sunderland face Man Utd | OneFootball

Sunderland have suffered a major setback before Manchester United's visit to the Stadium of Light, with Dan Ballard to miss the rest of the Premier League campaign after his appeal was rejected. According to Sunderland Echo, Régis Le Bris has confirmed the FA has upheld a three-game suspension.

Ballard was sent off for violent conduct midway through the first half of the 1-1 draw with Wolves, with referee Paul Tierney deciding after a VAR check that he had clearly pulled the hair of striker Tolu Arokodare.

Le Bris said he was disappointed and felt the situation was unclear. He believed Ballard had tried to grab the shirt and that long hair became caught, not intentionally, adding he understood the referee yet viewed the rule as unclear.

Elsewhere, wingers Bertrand Traore and Nilson Angulo are fit to return to the matchday squad on Saturday. The pair have trained fully in the past week and, along with Jocelin Ta Bi, are back in contention, though they are unlikely to start and could offer options from the bench.

Le Bris stressed the jump from training to a full game is significant and, with the group now full, there is no need to rush anyone. He said players must show in training to earn minutes. Romaine Mundle remains the only other absentee with a hamstring injury.

Source: Sunderland Echo