Regis Le Bris will be without Sunderland defender Dan Ballard for the upcoming visit of Manchester United.
Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris’ selection plans in defence for Saturday’s visit of third-placed Manchester United have been scuppered, with Dan Ballard set to remain suspended following his red card at Wolves last weekend.
With just 24 minutes on the clock and the Black Cats one goal to the good, Ballard was given his marching orders for violent conduct by referee Paul Tierney, after an accidental hair pull on Wolves striker Tolu Arokodare.
Ten-man Sunderland failed to see out the victory against Rob Edwards’ already-relegated side, thanks to a second-half equaliser from Santiago Bueno.
As confirmed by Le Bris in his pre-Man United press conference on Thursday afternoon, the controversial incident will be Ballard’s last contribution in Sunderland’s season.
Ballard to remain suspended for Sunderland vs Man Utd
Following the disappointing 1-1 draw, Sunderland appealed against Tierney’s decision, but Le Bris confirmed news that the FA have upheld the decision and Ballard’s three-game suspension, which will see him forced to sit out the penultimate fixture at Everton and the final-day visit of Chelsea.
Ballard’s absence will be an unwanted headache for Le Bris, made even worse in light of Michael Carrick’s being in excellent form of late, and the Black Cats’ difficulties in defence of late.
As Le Bris hopes to keep Sunderland’s top-half finish hopes alive by taking points from the Red Devils, who will be buoyed by their Champions League qualification for next term, the Black Cats boss aired his frustrations at the decision.
When asked by BBC Sport whether he was ‘disappointed’ that the incident was upheld, Le Bris said: “Yes, we are. Because the situation, I think, was a bit unclear.
“The Premier League is built around physicality, duels, intensity. I do think that (Dan) Ballard tried to grab the shirt and in the duel, unfortunately, hair, long hair got caught and it wasn't intentional and the law is the law.
“So I understand the referee at one point, but at the same time, I think the rule, it's a bit unclear.”
When asked about how Ballard is feeling now that his debut Premier League campaign has been controversially cut short, Le Bris added: “We'll try to use the time to prepare the next season because we don't have another choice.”
Le Bris’ three options to replace Ballard for Sunderland vs Man Utd
Although Ballard will miss the final three crucial top flight clashes this season, fortunately for Le Bris, Sunderland has a multitude of central defensive choices at his disposal.
RB Leipzig loanee Lutsharel Geertruida, who was the subject of interest from reigning Premier League champions Liverpool in January, is an obvious option to line-up alongside Omar Alderete in the heart of Sunderland’s defense.
Additionally, fan-favourite Luke O’Nien could return to the Sunderland starting XI for the first time since the dramatic 4-3 defeat at Aston Villa, after the veteran defender made way for Ballard in the 5-0 hammering at home to Nottingham Forest.
Finally, Le Bris could shift former Nordi Mukiele into central defense and move Trai Hume back to his favoured full-back role, although the Black Cats boss may be hesitant to lose the former PSG star’s attacking impetus given he has fired two in his last four outings from right-back.
Whichever solution Le Bris chooses for the visit of Michael Carrick’s side, the Black Cats will have to be at their very best in every department to achieve a result against the in-form visiting Red Devils.