One Sunderland star now faces an uphill battle for game time under Regis Le Bris, and it’s something he won’t have been expecting this season.
Sunderland have a very competitive first-team squad under Regis Le Bris this season, which is obviously something the Black Cats boss will want.
There’s good competition for places and the increase in quality is evident in the results. Sunderland sit in 1st place of the Championship table and look good to challenge for promotion this season.
That’s despite a setback last time out as Sunderland drew 2-2 with Coventry City at the Stadium of Light. Then for the game against Millwall later this month, Sunderland have several players injured and suspended.
But there’s one who’s just returned from injury in Dan Ballard; the Northern Ireland man made his comeback against Coventry City and is on international duty this month.
Another who’s stepping up his return to action is Aji Alese.
Aji Alese pictured in Sunderland training, it could be bad news for Dan Ballard
Ballard picked up an injury during pre-season with Sunderland, then featuring five times in the Championship before picking up another separate injury.
It meant that Aji Alese partnered Luke O’Nien at the back. He played three games in the Championship and was a standout player for the Black Cats before he too picked up an injury.
On Thursday, though, Sunderland released a set of training pictures which showed Alese in first-team training as he nears his comeback. Whilst good news for Le Bris, it spells even more competition for Ballard.
Step-in Chris Mepham has impressed and will be tough to drop. So for Ballard, the route back into the Sunderland XI looks quite rocky as things stand.
Regis Le Bris gives Dan Ballard a Sunderland guarantee
Last season, Ballard was a key player. He would no doubt still be in the XI if it weren’t for his injury and so it’s surely a frustrating time for him.
Speaking recently, though, Le Bris has given Ballard reassurance that he’ll still play a big part this season.
Le Bris said on Ballard’s Sunderland game time: “He will play, for sure. If he can get some minutes for the national team, it will be good for us.”
Ballard may have to be patient, bide his time and either wait for someone to fall out of form, or pick up an injury.
But with Alese now in the mix, he too will want game time. It’s a nice problem for Le Bris but the likes of Ballard could quickly get frustrated at the lack of game time.