Following the September international break, Tony Mowbray’s side will return to league play on Saturday.
Ballard’s health has been brought into doubt ahead of the match against the Hoops during the defender’s time with the Northern Ireland camp.
On Thursday night, the 23-year-old was absent from the national team’s 4-2 loss to Slovenia in Euro 2024 qualification.
Despite his lack of fitness, he played for Michael O’Neill’s team in a 1-0 loss to Kazakhstan on Sunday night.
Trai Hume also played the entire 90-minute game in the Astana Arena.
Is Sunderland’s Daniel Ballard an important player?
Ballard has emerged as a key player for Sunderland since arriving from Arsenal in the summer of 2022.
The defender struggled with fitness concerns during his first season at the Stadium of Light, appearing in only 19 league games as the Black Cats finished sixth in the Championship.
But he’s been ready and available thus far this season, appearing in all five of Sunderland’s league games.
If Mowbray’s side is to fight for promotion to the Premier League this season,
campaign, the Northern Irishman will almost certainly be a key member of the team heading forward.
Mowbray will be relieved to see that he can play 90 minutes, and will be hoping that Ballard does not sustain any further injuries in Kazakhstan.
Northern Ireland’s ambitions of qualifying for Euro 2024 in Germany next year have been shattered by the setback.
The team has only three points from six games and is currently fifth in a group of six nations.
How has Sunderland’s season started thus far?
After five games, Sunderland is presently tenth in the Championship table.
After a handful of solid results before the break, notably a 5-0 thrashing of Southampton, the team’s slow start has ramped up.
Mowbray’s side shot up.
the standings with a convincing win over one of the promotion favorites.
The Black Cats have two wins, one tie, and two defeats so far this season, but they will be eager to keep their unbeaten streak going when they meet QPR this weekend.
Gareth Ainsworth’s team are 17th in the table, but they are only one point behind Sunderland coming into their match at Loftus Road on September 16.
Will Daniel Ballard make his Sunderland debut against QPR?
Ballard is expected to be available for Mowbray’s side this weekend, based on evidence from Sunday night.
Ballard is set to be one of the first names on the squad sheet at the Stadium of Light this season if he stays healthy.
The defender was let down over the weekend when Northern Ireland’s chances of traveling to Euro 2024 were dashed by back-to-back losses.
But for Mowbray, it won’t matter because he showed his stamina by playing the full 90 minutes against Kazakhstan, and the Sunday game should allow him plenty of time to relax and get ready for QPR on Saturday.
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