BBC Sport NI’s Andy Gray
There’s no manner of sugar coating it – shedding Dan Ballard is a large blow to Northern Ireland’s hopes of reaching a primary World Cup in 40 years.
The Sunderland defender has been integral to the progress of Michael O’Neill’s younger facet and he has an affect in each packing containers.
While he has all the time been a bodily presence, his composure on the ball has additionally improved from enjoying Premier League soccer this season.
Excluding Kieran Morrison, who has solely performed within the cup competitions for Liverpool, shedding two of his 4 Premier League gamers is terrible luck for O’Neill, after Conor Bradley was sidelined with a knee harm in January.
Thankfully for NI, Ruairi McConville, who was additionally an harm doubt when the squad was introduced, has performed two units of 90 minutes for Norwich City previously week.
He might be an possibility for stepping in for Ballard and has impressed in his quick worldwide profession so far, as will Oxford United’s Ciaron Brown and Bolton’s Eoin Toal.
