Dan Ballard ruled out of Northern Ireland play-off, Tom Atcheson called up | OneFootball

According to Sunderland Echo, Sunderland defender Dan Ballard has been ruled out of Northern Ireland’s World Cup qualifying play-off semi-final against Italy on Thursday due to a hamstring injury.

He sustained the problem in Sunderland’s recent defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion, was withdrawn in the second half, then missed Sunday’s Tyne-Wear Derby win over Newcastle United.

Ballard had initially been included in the travelling group for Bergamo, but Northern Ireland have now confirmed his absence and have called up Blackburn Rovers defender Tom Atcheson to the 28-man squad.

Atcheson, 19, is uncapped at senior level and has featured regularly for the youth sides. He plays his club football at Blackburn, where Michael O’Neill is serving as interim head coach.

Northern Ireland are also without Liverpool full-back Conor Bradley and Preston North End defender Jamal Lewis for the Italy tie. The winner 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 recently said the extent of Ballard’s issue was unclear after the player went off in the 64th minute, and that the medical staff would liaise with clubs. He noted that injuries are part of international football and that, aside from Bradley and Lewis, the group was as strong as possible. He also expressed hope that players who missed club fixtures could recover, saying at the time there were 10 days until the game.

Source: Sunderland Echo