Sunderland have received a significant injury boost with news that Brian Brobbey's hamstring problem is not as serious as first feared, while Dan Ballard faces a longer spell on the sidelines.
Both players suffered hamstring injuries while away on international duty, but manager Regis Le Bris has revealed they have different recovery timescales. Brobbey could be back in training as early as next week, although Thursday's Europa League opener away to Torreense is likely to come too soon for him. He has a chance of being fit to face Bournemouth a week on Sunday.
Brobbey's short-term setback
The news comes as a huge relief to Sunderland, who feared the worst when their in-form frontman went down injured while playing for the Netherlands against Germany before limping off. Brobbey joins Habib Diarra in hoping to be fit in the near future.
Le Bris told reporters: "Brian is on the same schedule as Habib [Diarra]. They should be available soon."
"It was a shame for Brian to be injured, but it is just short term. It is really positive. We were a bit worried when we first saw the video. But just after the game, Brian wasn’t too worried because he has experienced different injuries in the past and he thought straightaway that this one wasn’t too serious. We won’t take any risks with him, but it shouldn’t be too long."
Ballard facing lengthy absence
Ballard, however, is likely to miss at least a month. With a busy period ahead in both domestic and European competition, that could mean the centre-half being absent for nine games before the next international break.
"It is a shame for Ballard because he was in a good place," said Le Bris. "It is a medium-term injury. He is in a good place, we spoke this morning, but it is a shame for him."
"He will be available for the second part of the season, although we don’t know yet just when he will be back. It’s a shame because he was playing really well, but you have to accept the situation and go forward."
Diarra close to return
A third hamstring victim is Diarra, but like Brobbey, he could be available for the Bournemouth clash. Saturday's home game against Brighton will come too soon for the Senegal midfielder.
"He [Diarra] is really close," Le Bris told the Northern Echo. "He is in a good place. He has been able to do almost all of the sessions that are needed for a full recovery. Within around one week, he should be fully available."
