The new three-week international break isn’t just frustrating for fans. Clubs have to watch their players jet off around the world just as they’re beginning to settle into the domestic campaign. It’s ill-timed and often causes more harm than good for the prospects of Premier League sides.
The injury bug has already made its way through English football as the international break continues. Alexander Isak is back at Liverpool after suffering a knock with Sweden. The same can be said for the Netherlands’ Cody Gakpo. Sunderland, meanwhile, have been left awaiting verdicts on Dan Ballard and Brian Brobbey.
The latter entered the break off the back of a sensational hat-trick against Manchester City. He’ll still be wondering how he ended the afternoon on the losing side, as will the Black Cats.
It didn’t take long for the Dutchman to suffer on his travels, however, as he exited the pitch against Germany with a suspected hamstring injury.
Netherlands boss Xavi Hernandez confirmed the injury and Brobbey’s Wearside return, telling reporters: “Brian is indeed injured, unfortunately, so we will call up another striker. We haven’t decided who yet; I haven’t had time for that yet.”
The bad news has continued to arrive for Regis Le Bris since then, with Ballard also suffering an injury on international duty with Northern Ireland.
How long Sunderland could be without Ballard after “serious” injury
According to Football Insider journalist Pete O’Rourke, Ballard could be out for months and not weeks following an injury during the international break.
The central defender was forced off against Georgia as Northern Ireland secured a 2-1 victory last Friday. Since then, Sunderland have been hoping for some good news.
As per O’Rourke, however, the injury is “serious” and Ballard could be set for months on the sidelines not long after suffering with injury woes last season.
|
Dan Ballard injury history |
Games missed |
|
|---|---|---|
|
Hamstring injury |
25/26 |
4 |
|
Knee injury |
25/26 |
4 |
|
Hamstring injury |
24/25 |
13 |
|
Muscle injury |
24/25 |
4 |
|
Ankle injury |
24/25 |
9 |
|
Knee injury |
24/25 |
3 |
After yet another blow, Ballard has suffered seven injuries in just over two seasons. With European football and domestic action to balance this season, further injuries are the last thing that he needs.
That said, Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill did at least offer some hope after Friday’s game, telling reporters: “He needs to be assessed by his club’s medical staff, and we want him fit as soon as possible for Sunderland and obviously for ourselves.
“People recognise how big a presence he is in the Premier League for Sunderland, but naturally he’s a huge presence for us here as well. We can only wish him the speediest of recovery possible, and hopefully think that we’ll see him in November.”
The immediate news for Le Bris is that he’s likely to be without Ballard for Sunderland’s game against Brighton after the international break.
