Although Sunderland has suffered yet another setback due to injuries, Mike Dodds has provided encouraging news regarding Dan Ballard.
Sunderland’s long injury list is still a problem.
The injured players hinder the Black Cats, much like they did in the previous campaign. They aren’t doing as well as they did last season, however.
With Dodds’ team currently ranked in 12th position in the Championship standings, Sky Sports pundit David Prutton has tipped QPR to defeat Sunderland 2-1 this coming weekend.
The Black Cats, who are currently nine points above the drop zone and must deal with the loss of another injured player, might suffer their seventh straight loss.
Mike Dodds reports that Nazariy Rusyn is out of commission for Sunderland.
Nazariy Rusyn, the striker, is now injured and will not play this weekend, according to Dodds, who made this revelation to the media prior to Saturday’s matchup against QPR at the Stadium of Light.
Additionally, Dodds expresses uncertainty about when the Ukrainian will be ready to play again, saying:
“Naz hasn’t trained this week because he took a knock during the game. Tomorrow won’t be able to get him. We’re awaiting the timeline.
Sunderland was given Dan Ballard endorsement
Positively, though, Dodds has disclosed that Ballard’s injury is not as serious as initially thought.
The hamstring injury that forced the center-back to leave the match against Southampton may not be as serious as it seems because he was just named in the Northern Ireland squad for the next international break.
Dodds also stated to the media on Friday:
“Dan, it’s not as horrible as you thought. It’s quite challenging. In order to see if Dan can play against QPR, I believe we will wait until the very last minute.
Sunderland wounds
Many first-team players are now out of action for Sunderland.
As it stands, the injured list includes Bradley Dack, Corry Evans, Aji Alese, Dennis Cirkin, Jack Clarke, Elliot Embleton, Niall Huggins, Patrick Roberts, and now Rusyn.
Against QPR, Luke O’Nien will serve the second of two game bans.
Luis Hemir will have a longer role in the XI
Luis Hemir, a summer acquisition, has generated conversation all season long.
Everyone can see his obvious skill and potential, but his lack of polish as a player may still be an issue.
The striker has a lot of potential to grow, and exposure—which he’s been receiving lately—is perhaps the only way to help him do that.
After the Sunderland players’ loss to Leicester, it was implied that they did not yet trust Hemir with the ball. He had started games against Norwich City and Leicester City before being benched against Southampton.
However, anticipate Hemir to see more playing time in the upcoming weeks as Mason Burstow can only provide Hemir’s level of play while Rusyn is out injured.
Although that’s not ideal for Sunderland, who are already without Clarke as their primary goal scorer, Dodds and company must cope with the issue and figure out a way to manage it.
It seems like Hemir will take off if he can accomplish his first objective.
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