Sunderland defender Dan Ballard will be sidelined for the remainder of the international break after suffering a hamstring injury in Northern Ireland's 1-0 UEFA Nations League win over Georgia.
In added time, Ballard was withdrawn in agony after pulling up and immediately holding his right hamstring, and will now be out for the rest of Northern Ireland's upcoming fixtures against Hungary, Ukraine and the second Georgia clash.
Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill said on Ballard: "You saw the nature of how he (Dan Ballard) pulled up, it's a hamstring.
"We'll scan him tomorrow, but he's certainly not going to be available for the next three games."
Worrying times now ensue for Sunderland and the bruising central defender as the diagnosis awaits regarding how long Ballard will be sidelined for after the Black Cats return to action on October 10.
