Dan Ballard ruled out as Northern Ireland confirm World Cup play-off blow for Italy tie | OneFootball

Sunderland defender Dan Ballard has been ruled out of Northern Ireland’s World Cup qualifying play-off semi-final against Italy this week.

He was forced off in the second half of his previous outing and then missed Sunday’s Tyne-Wear derby win over Newcastle United. According to Sunderland Echo, he had travelled with Michael O’Neill’s group but will not be available and has been replaced by 19-year-old Tom Atcheson in the 28-man squad.

Atcheson plays for Blackburn Rovers, where O’Neill is interim head coach. The teenager has yet to win a senior cap but has featured regularly for Northern Ireland’s youth sides.

Ballard’s setback adds to absences of Liverpool full-back Conor Bradley and Preston North End defender Jamal Lewis, who has undergone ankle surgery, for the Italy tie. O’Neill said the extent of Ballard’s problem was unclear and noted other injury concerns, with medical staff liaising with clubs for clarity.

The winner on Thursday will meet either Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina for a place at this summer’s World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. O’Neill said players would do everything possible to be fit and that he remained hopeful those who missed club games at the weekend could recover in time.

Source: Sunderland Echo