Why Dan Ballard was on crutches during Sunderland celebrations | OneFootball

Sunderland are hopeful Dan Ballard will be fit for pre-season after undergoing ankle surgery.

According to Sunderland Echo, Ballard was on crutches on Sunday as he joined team-mates on the Stadium of Light pitch to celebrate the club's seventh-place finish and Europa League qualification.

The defender missed the final three Premier League games after a controversial red card for violent conduct at Wolves, with the referee ruling, after a VAR review, that he had pulled the hair of Tolu Arokodare. His suspension created a window for the operation and an early spell of recovery before the squad reconvenes.

He will be assessed in the coming weeks, but the club are currently hopeful the issue will not stop him being ready for the new campaign. Régis Le Bris's group has been close to full strength in recent weeks as the team finished a stellar season on a high.

Romaine Mundle has been the only long-term absentee with a hamstring injury, with Sunderland taking a cautious approach to have him ready to play a full part in pre-season. As it stands, he remains on track.

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

Source: Sunderland Echo