Top Sunderland man Dan Ballard has requested one key thing from manager Regis Le Bris.
The Black Cats have gone into the latest international break still top of the Championship after their brilliant start to the 2024/25 campaign, however they currently hold down the summit by the thinnest of margins.
Sunderland and Regis Le Bris will be glad that they went into the international break when they did as three consecutive draws for the side was certainly very out-of-character.
This was partly due to the suspension of Jobe Bellingham in-the centre-of-the-park, and Sunderland clearly lacked extra bite in the final third without him.
Despite the minor blip in the season for Le Bris’ side, the defence has continued to be immaculate, although returning star Dan Ballard could be due some game time after he made a subtle knock towards the French boss handing him more minutes for the side.
Sunderland star Dan Ballard sends message to Regis Le Bris following international break success
Centre-back Ballard sustained an injury against Plymouth Argyle, however he has now returned to action for the Black Cats.
He managed 11 minutes of game time in the 2-2 draw against Coventry City, and the Black Cats star is hoping to build on that after sending a message to Le Bris
Per The Chronicle, Ballard said: “I think it’s nice to be back in from the start.
“I’ve not played much football this season so it was really important for me and I think the gaffer just wanted to manage my minutes. It was really positive and everything’s in the right direction now. Hopefully I can build on that and play more minutes.”
The Sunderland defender will be hoping that his brilliant performance for Northern Ireland recently, in which he was able to bag a goal in a 2-0 win, will be enough for him to notch extra game-time after coming back from injury.
- READ MORE: The four Sunderland changes Regis Le Bris surely makes vs Millwall with key trio suspended
Regis Le Bris left with difficult selection dilemma following the return of Dan Ballard
Prior to his injury, Ballard was an integral part of the side and showed no signs of giving up his centre-back spot alongside club captain Luke O’Nien.
However, since the injury sustained by the Northern Ireland international, Ballard’s shoes have been filled stupendously by the on-loan Chris Mepham, and Le Bris will be left with a difficult choice as to who should start in defence for the upcoming game away at Millwall.
Ballard is clearly ready for a start and at least 60 minutes of action, after notching 76 for Northern Ireland against Belarus, but Mepham’s performances since his introduction simply do not warrant him being dropped by the returning centre-back, and despite his message to the French boss, he may have to wait patiently for excess game-time.