Sunderland will be forced to make a change in defence this weekend in order to replace the injured Dan Ballard, here are three options.
Sunderland’s Dan Ballard has been an ever present this season but also key when he has played.
However, over the international break he has suffered an injury while on duty with Northern Ireland.
Ballard had captained his national side in the game before he picked up the injury, describing it as a moment he’d never forget.
It is unknown when he will return, however this weekend could be too soon to rush him back.
No need to fear though as Tony Mowbray is prepared, as he has previously mentioned two under-21 players which he expects to be ready to make the jump when needed.
Here are three options for Mowbray…
Jenson Seelt
Mowbray hasn’t been one for rotating his defence this season, so it is accepted that whoever comes in will be inexperienced.
Jenson Seelt is probably the top candidate to replace Ballard, given he has made two substitution appearances this season.
20-year-old Seelt featured for an hour against Middlesbrough and would appear to be Mowbray’s most trusted deputy in absence of one of his two generals.
Nectarios Triantis
A second option is another 20-year-old, Nectarios Triantis who joined in the summer.
Triantis is yet to play a minute of Championship football however which probably puts him behind his U21 partner Seelt in selection.
Triantis however will be promoted to the first choice option on the bench with Seelt starting and he will need to be ready in case Seelt doesn’t thrive as a starter.
Trai Hume
Trai Hume is coming off a man of the match display for Northern Ireland against Slovenia.
This move would see the full-back in a really unnatural position which he isn’t really used to, but has filled in before.
Hume would be a more experienced option, but the move would leave the right-back position needing to be filled too.
Huge decisions for Mowbray to make.