Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray has outlined his plans for Daniel Ballard as the defender steps up his comeback from injury.
Ballard has been sidelined since he broke his foot against Queens Park Rangers back in August but he is now back training with the Black Cats as he plots an imminent return.
Mowbray hopes to have the Northern Ireland international back on grass during the upcoming World Cup break.
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“I would hope he’s back with us on the grass during the World Cup break, and then we’ll see where his fitness levels are,” Mowbray, told the Sunderland Echo.
“The coaching staff here eulogise about what a big asset he was before that injury – my Blackburn Rovers played against Millwall last year and he was solid on the day, I’m looking forward to having him with us.
“Right now if I was talk about a return time I’d say during the World Cup break, and let’s hope that he’s available for when his former club come to the Stadium of Light for that first game back.”
Meanwhile, Ballard says his recovery has been "going really well" and he is relishing getting back to action with Sunderland, who currently sit 14th in the EFL Championship.
Ballard added: “Of course it is really frustrating and it is quite a long injury but everything is going to plan and I’m looking forward to getting back out there.”
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