Le Bris has revealed one crucial Sunderland star is set to return from the sidelines for the play-off semi-finals.

Sunderland Receive Timely Boost with Star Defender Set for Return Against QPR

Sunderland are set to receive a major boost ahead of their final Championship fixture of the season, as a key figure in their defensive ranks makes a long-awaited return to action. Head coach Régis Le Bris has confirmed that the influential player is back in contention to feature in the final day clash against Queens Park Rangers at the Stadium of Light. The fixture marks the end of the regular season, and for Sunderland, it is a crucial opportunity to build momentum heading into a potentially decisive play-off campaign.

The 25-year-old star has been sidelined since suffering a hamstring injury during a narrow 1-0 home defeat to Hull City back in February. His absence has been notable, as the Black Cats have experienced a dip in defensive consistency at a critical phase of the season. However, the good news for Sunderland supporters is that the defender has returned to full training with his teammates in recent weeks and will be given playing time today as Le Bris looks to reintegrate him gradually into competitive match action.

Dan Ballard, the Northern Ireland international, is expected to play the final 30 to 35 minutes of today’s game, mirroring the approach taken with fellow defender Dennis Cirkin during his own recent comeback. Ballard’s physical presence, defensive intelligence, and aerial dominance have been sorely missed in recent outings, particularly in back-to-back defeats against Blackburn Rovers and Oxford United. In both games, Sunderland’s vulnerability when defending set-pieces was painfully evident, exposing a soft underbelly in their defensive structure. Ballard’s return could be the antidote to those shortcomings as the club prepares for the intensity and pressure of the Championship play-offs.

Speaking to the Sunderland Echo, Le Bris explained his strategy for Ballard’s reintegration: “Dan will follow the same plan as Dennis (Cirkin) did at Oxford. He’ll probably play the last part of the game, around 30-35 minutes. After that, because the way he trained the last couple of weeks was really good, he showed that he wants to play. For the squad, for the staff, it’s really important to have all our players available. He should be available at that level.”

Ballard has made 19 appearances this season, starting 12 of those games. Despite missing a significant portion of the campaign, he has contributed three goal involvements and maintained an impressive pass accuracy of 88.1%. His defensive stats are equally impressive, boasting a 72.3% aerial duels win rate—an attribute that will be crucial as Sunderland prepare to face teams that will look to exploit set-pieces and physical battles in the box during the play-offs.

Beyond the numbers, Ballard brings leadership and a commanding presence to the backline—qualities that cannot be measured purely through statistics. His ability to organize the defense, communicate effectively, and rise to the occasion in high-pressure moments has made him a cornerstone of Sunderland’s defensive unit since his arrival.

With a place in the play-offs already secured, Sunderland will aim to use today’s match against QPR to build rhythm and confidence. For Le Bris, the return of a key defender like Dan Ballard could not be more timely. As the club sets its sights on a return to the Premier League, having all hands on deck—especially those with the caliber of Ballard—will be essential to navigating the difficult road ahead.

The Black Cats faithful will be watching closely as Ballard steps back onto the pitch, hopeful that his return signals a turning point at the business end of the season.